Novel aminopyridine derivatives having aurora a selective inhibitory action

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a compound of formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: R 1  is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, etc.; R 1 ′ is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be substituted; R 2  is O, S, SO, SO 2 , etc.; R 3  is a phenyl which may be substituted; X 1 , X 2 , and X 3  each independently CH, N, etc. provided, however, that among X 1 , X 2  and X 3 , the number of nitrogen is 0 or 1; W is the following residue: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein: W 1 , W 2 , and W 3  each independently CH, N, etc.,
 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to novel aminopyridine derivatives whichare useful in the pharmaceutical field, and more particularly, to thosewhich inhibit the growth of tumor cells based on an Aurora A selectiveinhibitory action and exhibit an antitumor effect, and also to an AuroraA selective inhibitor and an antitumor agent containing them.

BACKGROUND ART

Aurora kinase is a serine/threonine kinase involved in cell division.With regard to the Aurora kinase, three subtypes of A, B and C are knownat present, and they have very high homology to each other. Aurora Aparticipates in the maturation and distribution of centrosome or in theformation of spindle body. On the other hand, it is believed that AuroraB participates in the aggregation and pairing of chromosome, a spindlecheckpoint and cytoplasm division [Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol., No. 4,pp. 842-854]. Also, it is believed that Aurora C acts similarly as aresult of interaction with Aurora B [J. Biol. Chem., Epub ahead (2004)].From the fact that high expression of Aurora A has been hithertoconfirmed in many cancer cells; that high expression of Aurora A innormal cells leads to transformation of normal cell strains of rodent;and the like, Aurora A, being one of oncogenes, is recognized to be anadequate target for an antitumor agent [EMBO J., No. 17, pp. 3052-3065(1998)].

There is another report that cancer cells in which Aurora A is highlyexpressed have a resistance to paclitaxel [Cancer Cell, Vol. 3, pp.51-62 (2003)]. Meanwhile, with regard to the Aurora kinase inhibitor,development of subtype-selective drugs has been thought to be difficultin view of high homology among subtypes, protein structure analysis andthe like; and although there have been known reports on drugs such asZM447439 which inhibit both Aurora A and Aurora B at the same time [J.Cell Biol., No. 161, pp. 267-280 (2003); J. Cell Biol., No. 161, pp.281-294, (2003); Nat. Med., No. 10, pp. 262-267, (2004)], no reportconcerning Aurora A selective drugs have been known. Thus, in thosereports, disclosed is the antitumor effect only for the case where adrug which inhibits both Aurora A and Aurora B at the same time issolely administered. In addition, there has been also reported a resultthat in a drug which inhibits both Aurora A and Aurora B at the sametime, the Aurora kinase inhibiting action attenuates the action ofpaclitaxel [J. Cell Biol., No. 161, pp. 281-294, (2003)].

Now, patent applications concerning compounds having an Aurora kinaseinhibiting action have been previously filed (WO 02/057259, U.S. Pat.No. 6,664,247, etc.), and patent applications concerning aminopyridinederivatives has been filed as well (U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,424, etc.).Under these circumstances, the present inventors filed a patentapplication directed to an aminopyridine derivative having an excellentAurora A selective inhibitory action (WO2006/046734).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The problems that the present invention should solve are to create novelaminopyridine derivatives which show an excellent Aurora A selectiveinhibitory action and cell-growth inhibitory action based on theforegoing, as well as achieve a synergistic action by a combined usewith other antitumor agent(s). Further, it is also the problems that thepresent invention should solve, to create, in the case of oraladministration, novel aminopyridine derivatives which show an excellentAurora A selective inhibitory action.

In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors havesynthesized a variety of novel aminopyridine derivatives and found thatthe compound represented by the following Formula (I) shows an excellentAurora A selective inhibitory action and cell-growth inhibitory actionbased on the foregoing, and also achieves a synergistic action by acombined use with other antitumor agents, thus completing the invention.With regard to those cancers which have been unable to be completelytreated with known antitumor agents such as paclitaxel because it hasbeen impossible to use a sufficient amount of the agents owing toside-effects or drug resistance thereof, the oral administration of thecompound according to the invention or the combined administration ofthe compound according to the invention with other antitumor agent isexpected to exhibit an excellent antitumor effect (includingpotentiation of action due to the other antitumor agent) and an effectof attenuating side-effects.

Thus, the invention relates to a compound of general formula I:

wherein:

R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1), CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′,NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′, NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″,NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′, NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9),SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), NR_(a12)R_(a12)′, lower alkyl which may besubstituted, or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted,

wherein:

-   -   R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), and R_(a8) are each        independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be        substituted;    -   R_(a2), R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), and        R_(a12)′ are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl        which may be substituted, provided, however, that R_(a2) and        R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ and R_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and        R_(a12) ¹ each independently, together with the nitrogen atom        which they bind to, may form a heterocyclic group which may be        substituted;    -   R_(a3)′, R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′, R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11)        are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may        be substituted;

R₁′ is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be substituted;

R₂ is O, S, SO, SO₂, NH, NR_(b), or CR_(c1)R_(c2) wherein R_(b) is alower alkyl which may be substituted, and R_(c1) and R_(c2), which maybe the same or different, are a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl;

R₃ is a phenyl which may be substituted;

X₁ is CH, CX_(1a), or N wherein X_(1a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted;

X₂ is CH, CX_(2a), or N wherein:

-   -   X_(2a) is a lower alkyl; or    -   X_(2a) is a substituent selected from <substituent group A₁>, or        lower alkyl which is substituted with one or more of the same or        different substituents selected from <substituent group A₁>,        wherein <substituent group A₁> is halogen atom; cyano; hydroxy;        lower alkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; lower alkoxy which may be        substituted with one or more hydroxy groups; lower alkylthio;        and lower alkylsulfonyl; or    -   X_(2a) is COOR_(x1), CONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHCOR_(x1),        NHCONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHSO₂NR_(x2)R_(x3), NR_(x4)R_(x5), or        CH₂NR_(x4)R_(x5), wherein:        -   R_(x1) is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be            substituted;        -   R_(x2) and R_(x3), which may be the same or different, are            each a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl which may be substituted,            or cycloalkyl which may be substituted; or alternatively            R_(x2) and R_(x3), together with the nitrogen atom to which            they bond, form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic            group which contains at least one atom selected from N, O            and S and which may be substituted; and        -   R_(x4) and R_(x5), which may be the same or different, are a            hydrogen atom, lower alkyl that may be substituted, or            cycloalkyl that may be substituted; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted, wherein two hydrogen atoms that are bonded        to the same carbon atom of the aliphatic heterocyclic group may        be substituted with oxo and neighboring two carbon atoms        constituting the aliphatic heterocyclic ring may form a        double-bond; or a lower alkyl which is substituted with the        aliphatic heterocyclic group; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted; or a lower alkyl which is substituted with        the aromatic heterocyclic group;

X₃ is CH, CX_(3a), or N wherein X_(3a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted; provided, however, that among X₁, X₂ and X₃, the number ofnitrogen is 0 or 1;

W is the following residue:

wherein:

W₁ is CH, N, NH, O, or S;

W₂ is CH, CW_(2a), N, NW_(2b), O or S, wherein W_(2a) and W_(2b) areeach independently a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, lower alkylhaving one to two carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having three to five carbonatoms, or lower alkyl having one to two carbon atoms which may besubstituted with one or more halogen atoms;

W₃ is C or N; and

at least one of W₁, W₂, and W₃ is a carbon atom; however, two of W₁, W₂,and W₃ are not simultaneously O and S,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

The invention also relates to a combined preparation for simultaneous,separate or sequential administration in the treatment of cancer,comprising two separate preparations which are:

-   -   a preparation comprising, together with a pharmaceutically        acceptable carrier or diluent, a compound represented by the        above-described Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable        salt or ester thereof; and    -   a preparation comprising, together with a pharmaceutically        acceptable carrier or diluent, one antitumor agent selected from        the group consisting of antitumor alkylating agents, antitumor        antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derived antitumor        agents, antitumor platinum coordination compounds, antitumor        camptothecin derivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors,        monoclonal antibodies, interferons, biological response        modifiers and other antitumor agents as well as pharmaceutically        acceptable salt(s) or ester(s) thereof, wherein:

the antitumor alkylating agent is nitrogen mustard N-oxide,cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, melphalan, busulfan, mitobronitol,carboquone, thiotepa, ranimustine, nimustine, temozolomide orcarmustine;

the antitumor antimetabolite is methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine riboside,mercaptopurine, 5-fluorouracil, tegafur, doxifluridine, carmofur,cytarabine, cytarabine ocfosfate, enocitabine, S-1, gemcitabine,fludarabine or pemetrexed disodium;

the antitumor antibiotic is actinomycin D, doxorubicin, daunorubicin,neocarzinostatin, bleomycin, peplomycine, mitomycin C, aclarubicin,pirarubicin, epirubicin, zinostatin stimalamer, idarubicin, sirolimus orvalrubicin;

the plant-derived antitumor agent is vincristine, vinblastine,vindesine, etoposide, sobuzoxane, docetaxel, paclitaxel or vinorelbine;

the antitumor platinum coordination compound is cisplatin, carboplatin,nedaplatin or oxaliplatin;

the antitumor camptothecin derivative is irinotecan, topotecan orcamptothecin;

the antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitor is gefitinib, imatinib,sorafenib, sunitinib, dasatinib, or erlotinib;

the monoclonal antibody is cetuximab, rituximab, bevacizumab,alemtuzumab or trastuzumab;

the interferon is interferon α, interferon α-2a, interferon α-2b,interferon β, interferon γ-1a or interferon γ-n1;

the biological response modifier is krestin, lentinan, sizofuran,picibanil or ubenimex; and

the other antitumor agent is mitoxantrone, L-asparaginase, procarbazine,dacarbazine, hydroxycarbamide, pentostatin, tretinoin, alefacept,darbepoetin alfa, anastrozole, exemestane, bicalutamide, leuprorelin,flutamide, fulvestrant, pegaptanib octasodium, denileukin diftitox,aldesleukin, thyrotropin alfa, arsenic trioxide, bortezomib,capecitabine or goserelin.

The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent, a compound represented by the above-described Formula (I) or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and an antitumoragent selected from the group consisting of antitumor alkylating agents,antitumor antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derivedantitumor agents, antitumor platinum coordination compounds, antitumorcamptothecin derivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors,monoclonal antibodies, biological response modifiers and other antitumoragents (here, the definition of each antitumor agent is the same as thatdefined hereinabove) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esterthereof.

The invention still further relates to a method for the treatment ofcancer, comprising administering simultaneously, separately orsequentially a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundrepresented by the above-described Formula (I) or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof in combination with a therapeuticallyeffective amount of an antitumor agent selected from the groupconsisting of antitumor alkylating agents, antitumor antimetabolites,antitumor antibiotics, plant-derived antitumor agents, antitumorplatinum coordination compounds, antitumor camptothecin derivates,antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies,interferons, biological response modifiers and other antitumor agents(here, definition of each antitumor agent is the same as that definedhereinabove) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of an Aurora selective Ainhibitor for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment ofcancer; and the use of an Aurora selective A inhibitor in combinationwith an antitumor agent for the manufacture of a medicament for thetreatment of cancer; and also relates to a method of treating cancer toa mammal (particularly a human) which comprises administering to saidmammal a therapeutically effective amount of an Aurora selective Ainhibitor; and a method of treating cancer in a mammal (particularly ahuman) which comprises administering to said mammal a therapeuticallyeffective amount of an Aurora selective A inhibitor in combination witha therapeutically effective amount of an antitumor agent.

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising asactive ingredient an Aurora selective A inhibitor; and a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising as active ingredient an Aurora selective Ainhibitor, together with an antitumor agent.

Next, symbols and terms used in the present specification will beexplained.

The term “lower alkyl” in the above Formula (I) denotes a linear orbranched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereofinclude, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and hexyl, among these methyl beingpreferred.

The term “cycloalkyl” in the above Formula (I) denotes a 3- to8-membered aliphatic cyclic group such as, for example, cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.

The “heterocyclic group” in the Formula (I) refers to an “aromaticheterocyclic group” or “aliphatic heterocyclic group”. Here, the“aromatic heterocyclic group” refers to an aromatic heterocyclic groupcontaining, in addition to a carbon atom(s), at least one heteroatomselected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, and examplesthereof include a 5- to 7-membered monocyclic heterocyclic group, afused-ring heterocyclic group formed by fusion of a 3- to 8-memberedring to the monocyclic heterocyclic group, and the like. Specifically, athienyl group, a pyrrolyl group, a furyl group, a thiazolyl group, animidazolyl group, a pyrazolyl group, an oxazolyl group, a pyridyl group,a pyrazinyl group, a pyrimidinyl group, a pyridazinyl group, anisoxazolyl group, an isoquinolyl group, an isoindolyl group, anindazolyl group, an indolyl group, a quinoxalinyl group, a quinolylgroup, a benzoimidazolyl group, a benzofuranyl group and the like may bementioned. On the other hand, the “aliphatic heterocyclic group” refersto a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic heterocyclic group containing,in addition to a carbon atom(s), at least one atom selected fromnitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfur atom, and having a monocyclic ringor a bicyclic or tricyclic fused ring. Examples thereof include anazetidyl group, a pyrrolidinyl group, a piperidinyl group, a piperazinylgroup, a morpholino group, a tetrahydrofuranyl group, an imidazolidinylgroup, a thiomorpholino group, a tetrahydroquinolyl group, atetrahydroisoquinolyl group and the like.

The term “5- or 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic group” in the aboveFormula (I) denotes a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic cyclic group containingat least one atom selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfuratom in addition to carbon atoms, and examples thereof includepyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholino, tetrahydrofuranyl,imidazolidinyl and thiomorpholino. Further, for the aliphaticheterocyclic group, two hydrogen atoms which are bonded to the samecarbon atom may be substituted with an oxo group, and also, adjacent twocarbon atoms constituting the ring of the aliphatic heterocyclic groupmay be double-bonded.

The term “5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group” in the aboveFormula (I) denotes a 5- or 6-membered aromatic cyclic group containingat least one atom selected from nitrogen atom, oxygen atom and sulfuratom in addition to carbon atoms, and examples thereof include thienyl,pyrrolyl, furyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl and oxazolyl.

The term “halogen atom” in the above Formula (I) is, for example,fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom or iodine atom. Among them,for example, fluorine atom, chlorine atom or bromine atom is preferred.

The term “lower alkylamino” in the above Formula (I) denotes a group inwhich amino is N-substituted with the above-described “lower alkyl”, andexamples thereof include N-methylamino, N-ethylamino, N-propylamino,N-isopropylamino, N-butylamino, N-isobutylamino, N-tert-butylamino,N-pentylamino and N-hexylamino.

The term “di-lower alkylamino” in the above Formula (I) denotes a groupin which amino is N,N-disubstituted with the above-described “loweralkyl”, and examples thereof include N,N-dimethylamino,N,N-diethylamino, N,N-dipropylamino, N,N-diisopropylamino,N,N-dibutylamino, N,N-diisobutylamino, N,N-di-tert-butylamino,N,N-dipentylamino, N,N-dihexylamino, N-ethyl-N-methylamino andN-methyl-N-propylamino.

The term “lower alkylsulfonyl” in the above Formula (I) denotes a groupin which the above-described “lower alkyl” is bonded to sulfonyl, andexamples thereof include methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl andbutylsulfonyl.

The term “lower alkylsulfonylamino” in the above Formula (I) denotes agroup in which amino is N-substituted with the above-described “loweralkylsulfonyl”, and examples thereof include methylsulfonylamino,ethylsulfonylamino and butylsulfonylamino.

The term “lower alkoxy” in the above Formula (I) denotes a group inwhich “lower alkyl” is bonded to oxygen atom, and examples thereofinclude methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy,sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, neopentyloxy, hexyloxy andisohexyloxy.

The term “lower alkoxycarbonyl” in the above Formula (I) denotes a groupin which “lower alkoxy” is bonded to carbonyl, and examples thereofinclude methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl,isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl,sec-butoxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, pentyloxycarbonyl,neopentyloxycarbonyl, hexyloxycarbonyl and isohexyloxycarbonyl.

The term “lower alkoxycarbonylamino” in the above Formula (I) denotes agroup in which amino is N-substituted with the above-described “loweralkoxycarbonyl”, and examples thereof include methoxycarbonylamino,ethoxycarbonylamino, propoxycarbonylamino, isopropoxycarbonylamino,butoxycarbonylamino, isobutoxycarbonylamino, sec-butoxycarbonylamino,tert-butoxycarbonylamino, pentyloxycarbonylamino,neopentyloxycarbonylamino, hexyloxycarbonylamino andisohexyloxycarbonylamino.

The term “lower alkanoyl” in the above Formula (I) denotes a group inwhich the above-described “lower alkyl” is bonded to carbonyl. Preferredis a group in which the lower alkyl having one to five carbon atoms isbonded to carbonyl. Examples thereof include acetyl, propionyl, butyryl,isobutyryl, valeryl, isovaleryl, pivaloyl and pentanoyl.

The term “lower alkanoyloxy” in the above Formula (I) denotes a group inwhich the above-described “lower alkanoyl” is bonded to an oxygen atom,and examples thereof include acetyloxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy,isobutyryloxy, valeryloxy, isovaleryloxy, pivaloyloxy and pentanoyloxy.

The term “lower alkylthio” in the above Formula (I) denotes asubstituent in which the above-described “lower alkyl” is bonded tosulfur atom, and examples thereof include methylthio, ethylthio andbutylthio.

The term “selective inhibitor of Aurora A” used in the presentspecification is a compound or a drug which selectively inhibits AuroraA as compared with Aurora B. The “selective inhibitor of Aurora A” ispreferably a compound or a drug of which inhibitory activities againstAurora A are at least ten times the activities against Aurora B; andmore preferably a compound or a drug of which inhibitory activitiesagainst Aurora A are at least hundred times the activities againstAurora B.

Explanation for the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt of esterthereof” or the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent”used in the specification still will be given later.

The term “treatment of cancer” as used in the specification meansinhibition of cancer cell growth by administering an antitumor agent toa cancer patient. Preferably, this treatment enables retrogression ofcancer growth, that is, reduction in the measurable cancer size. Morepreferably, such treatment completely eliminates cancer.

The term “cancer” as used in the specification refers to solid cancerand hematopoietic cancer. Here, examples of solid cancer includecerebral tumor, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, thyroid cancer,small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer,stomach cancer, gallbladder and bile duct cancer, liver cancer, pancreascancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer, chorioepithelioma,uterine cancer, cervical cancer, renal pelvic and ureteral cancer,bladder cancer, prostate cancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer,embryonal cancer, wilms tumor, skin cancer, malignant melanoma,neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing's tumor and soft tissue sarcoma. Onthe other hand, examples of hematopoietic cancer include acute leukemia,chronic lymphatic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, polycythemiavera, malignant lymphoma, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkins' lymphoma.

The term “preparation” as used in the specification includes oralpreparations and parenteral preparations. Examples of oral preparationsinclude tablets, capsules, powders and granules, while examples ofparenteral preparations include sterilized liquid preparations such assolutions or suspensions, specifically injections or drip infusions.Preferably, they are intravenous injections or intravenous dripinfusions, and more preferably intravenous drip infusions.

The term “combined preparation” as used in the specification refers tothose comprising two or more preparations for simultaneous, separate orsequential administration in the treatment, and such preparation may bea so-called kit type preparation or pharmaceutical composition. The term“combined preparation” also includes those having one or morepreparations which are further combined with the combined preparationcomprising two separate preparations used in the treatment of cancer.

The two separate preparations described above can be further combinedwith, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent, at least one preparation comprising at least one antitumoragent selected from the group consisting of antitumor alkylating agents,antitumor antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derivedantitumor agents, antitumor platinum coordination compounds, antitumorcamptothecin derivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors,monoclonal antibodies, interferons, biological response modifiers andother antitumor agents (here, definition of each antitumor agent is thesame as that defined above), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orester thereof. In this case, the above-mentioned at least onepreparation that has been further combined can be administeredsimultaneously, separately or sequentially with respect to the twoseparate preparations. For example, a combined preparation comprisingthree preparations may be mentioned: the one that is comprised of apreparation including a preparation containing the compound representedby the above Formula (I), a preparation containing 5-fluorouracil and apreparation containing leucovorin.

Here, in the above-mentioned combined preparation, either or both of thetwo separate preparations may be an oral preparation; and also one maybe an oral preparation, while another may be a parental preparation(injections or drip infusions).

The term “preparation” according to the invention may usually comprise atherapeutically effective amount of a compound according to theinvention, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent. This technique of formulation is considered to be a technicalcommon knowledge to those having ordinary skill in the pertinent art andis well known. Preferably, oral preparations, intravenous drip infusionsor injections can be prepared in combination with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, by various methods that are well known inthe art.

In the case of using the combined preparation according to theinvention, the term “administration” as used in the presentspecification refers to parenteral administration and/or oraladministration, and preferably oral administration. Thus, when acombined preparation is administered, both administrations may beparenteral; one administration may be parenteral while the other may beoral; or both administrations may be oral. Preferably, both preparationsin the combined preparation are administered orally. Here, the term“parenteral administration” is, for example, intravenous administration,subcutaneous administration or intramuscular administration, andpreferably it is intravenous administration. Even when three or morepreparations are combined and administered, at least one preparation maybe subject to parenteral administration, preferably subject tointravenous administration, more preferably subject to intravenous dripor injection administration. Also, even when three or more preparationsare combined and administered, every preparation may be orallyadministered.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a compound represented bythe above Formula (I) may be administered simultaneously with otherantitumor agent(s). Further, it is possible to administer the compoundrepresented by the above Formula (I) first and then another antitumoragent consecutively, or alternatively it is possible to administeranother antitumor agent first and then the compound represented by theabove Formula (I) consecutively. It is also possible to administer thecompound represented by the above Formula (I) first and then separatelyadminister another antitumor agent after a while, or alternatively it ispossible to administer another antitumor agent first and then separatelyadminister the compound represented by the above Formula (I) after awhile. The order and the time interval for the administration may beappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordancewith, for example, a preparation containing the compound represented bythe above Formula (I) used and a preparation containing an antitumoragent that is used in combination therewith, the type of the cancercells to be treated and the condition of the patient. For example, inthe case of administering the compound represented by the above Formula(I) and paclitaxel or docetaxel, preferably paclitaxel or docetaxel isadministered first, and then the compound represented by the aboveFormula (I) is administered sequentially or separately after a while.

The term “simultaneously” as used in the specification refers to the useof preparations for the treatment substantially at the same time,whereas the term “separately” refers to the separate use of preparationsfor the treatment at different times such that, for example, one agentis used on the first day and another agent is used on the second day forthe treatment. The term “sequentially” refers to the use of preparationsin such an order that, for example, one agent is first used and anotheragent is used after a predetermined period of time for the treatment.

The term “antitumor alkylating agent” as used in the presentspecification refers to an alkylating agent having antitumor activity,and the term “alkylating agent” herein generally refers to an agentgiving an alkyl group in the alkylation reaction in which a hydrogenatom of an organic compound is substituted with an alkyl group. The term“antitumor alkylating agent” may be exemplified by nitrogen mustardN-oxide, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, melphalan, busulfan,mitobronitol, carboquone, thiotepa, ranimustine, nimustine, temozolomideor carmustine.

The term “antitumor antimetabolite” as used in the specification refersto an antimetabolite having antitumor activity, and the term“antimetabolite” herein includes, in a broad sense, substances whichdisturb normal metabolism and substances which inhibit the electrontransfer system to prevent the production of energy-rich intermediates,due to their structural or functional similarities to metabolites thatare important for living organisms (such as vitamins, coenzymes, aminoacids and saccharides). The term “antitumor antimetabolites” may beexemplified by methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine riboside, mercaptopurine,5-fluorouracil, tegafur, doxifluridine, carmofur, cytarabine, cytarabineocfosfate, enocitabine, S-1, gemcitabine, fludarabine or pemetrexeddisodium, and preferred are 5-fluorouracil, S-1, gemcitabine and thelike.

The term “antitumor antibiotic” as used in the specification refers toan antibiotic having antitumor activity, and the “antibiotic” hereinincludes substances that are produced by microorganisms or by organicsynthesis and that inhibit cell growth and other functions ofmicroorganisms and of other living organisms. The term “antitumorantibiotic” may be exemplified by actinomycin D, doxorubicin,daunorubicin, neocarzinostatin, bleomycin, peplomycin, mitomycin C,aclarubicin, pirarubicin, epirubicin, zinostatin stimalamer, idarubicin,sirolimus or valrubicin.

The term “plant-derived antitumor agent” as used in the specificationincludes compounds having antitumor activities which originate fromplants, or compounds prepared by applying chemical modification to theforegoing compounds. The term “plant-derived antitumor agent” may beexemplified by vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, etoposide,sobuzoxane, docetaxel, paclitaxel and vinorelbine, and preferred anddocetaxel and paclitaxel.

The term “antitumor camptothecin derivative” as used in thespecification refers to compounds that are structurally related tocamptothecin and that inhibit cancer cell growth, including camptothecinper se. The term “antitumor camptothecin derivative” is not particularlylimited to, but may be exemplified by, camptothecin,10-hydroxycamptothecin, topotecan, irinotecan or 9-aminocamptothecin,with camptothecin, topotecan and irinotecan being preferred. Further,irinotecan is metabolized in vivo and exhibits antitumor effect asSN-38. The action mechanism and the activity of the camptothecinderivatives are believed to be virtually the same as those ofcamptothecin (e.g., Nitta, et al., Gan to Kagaku Ryoho, 14, 850-857(1987)).

The term “antitumor platinum coordination (platinum-complex) compound”as used in the specification refers to a platinum coordination compoundhaving antitumor activity, and the term “platinum coordination compound”herein refers to a platinum coordination compound which providesplatinum in ion form. Preferred platinum compounds include cisplatin;cis-diamminediaquoplatinum (II)-ion; chloro(diethylenetriamine)-platinum(II) chloride; dichloro(ethylenediamine)-platinum (II);diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato) platinum (II) (carboplatin);spiroplatin; iproplatin; diammine(2-ethylmalonato)platinum (II);ethylenediaminemalonatoplatinum (II);aqua(1,2-diaminodicyclohexane)sulfatoplatinum (II);aqua(1,2-diaminodicyclohexane)malonatoplatinum (II);(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)malonatoplatinum (II);(4-carboxyphthalato)(1,2-diaminocyclohexane) platinum (II);(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-(isocitrato)platinum (II);(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)oxalatoplatinum (II); ormaplatin; tetraplatin;carboplatin, nedaplatin and oxaliplatin, and preferred is carboplatin oroxaliplatin. Further, other antitumor platinum coordination compoundsmentioned in the specification are known and are commercially availableand/or producible by a person having ordinary skill in the art byconventional techniques.

The term “antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitor” as used in thespecification refers to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor having antitumoractivity, and the term “tyrosine kinase inhibitor” herein refers to achemical substance inhibiting “tyrosine kinase” which transfers aγ-phosphate group of ATP to a hydroxy group of a specific tyrosine inprotein. The term “antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitor” may beexemplified by gefitinib, imatinib, sorafenib, sunitinib, dasatinib, orerlotinib.

The term “monoclonal antibody” as used in the specification, which isalso known as single clonal antibody, refers to an antibody produced bya monoclonal antibody-producing cell, and examples thereof includecetuximab, bevacizumab, rituximab, alemtuzumab and trastuzumab.

The term “interferon” as used in the specification refers to aninterferon having antitumor activity, and it is a glycoprotein having amolecular weight of about 20,000 which is produced and secreted by mostanimal cells upon viral infection. It has not only the effect ofinhibiting viral growth but also various immune effector mechanismsincluding inhibition of growth of cells (in particular, tumor cells) andenhancement of the natural killer cell activity, thus being designatedas one type of cytokine. Examples of “interferon” include interferon α,interferon α-2a, interferon α-2b, interferon β, interferon γ-1a andinterferon γ-n1.

The term “biological response modifier” as used in the specification isthe so-called biological response modifier or BRM and is generally thegeneric term for substances or drugs for modifying the defensemechanisms of living organisms or biological responses such as survival,growth or differentiation of tissue cells in order to direct them to beuseful for an individual against tumor, infection or other diseases.Examples of the “biological response modifier” include krestin,lentinan, sizofuran, picibanil and ubenimex.

The term “other antitumor agent” as used in the specification refers toan antitumor agent which does not belong to any of the above-describedagents having antitumor activities. Examples of the “other antitumoragent” include mitoxantrone, L-asparaginase, procarbazine, dacarbazine,hydroxycarbamide, pentostatin, tretinoin, alefacept, darbepoetin alfa,anastrozole, exemestane, bicalutamide, leuprorelin, flutamide,fulvestrant, pegaptanib octasodium, denileukin diftitox, aldesleukin,thyrotropin alfa, arsenic trioxide, bortezomib, capecitabine, andgoserelin.

The above-described terms “antitumor alkylating agent”, “antitumorantimetabolite”, “antitumor antibiotic”, “plant-derived antitumoragent”, “antitumor platinum coordination compound”, “antitumorcamptothecin derivative”, “antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitor”,“monoclonal antibody”, “interferon”, “biological response modifier” and“other antitumor agent” are all known and are either commerciallyavailable or producible by a person skilled in the art by methods knownper se or by well-known or conventional methods. The process forpreparation of gefitinib is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,770,599; the process for preparation of cetuximab is described, forexample, in WO 96/40210; the process for preparation of bevacizumab isdescribed, for example, in WO 94/10202; the process for preparation ofoxaliplatin is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,420,319 and5,959,133; the process for preparation of gemcitabine is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,434,254 and 5,223,608; and the process forpreparation of camptothecin is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,162,532,5,247,089, 5,191,082, 5,200,524, 5,243,050 and 5,321,140; the processfor preparation of irinotecan is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.No. 4,604,463; the process for preparation of topotecan is described,for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,056; the process for preparation oftemozolomide is described, for example, in JP-B No. 4-5029; and theprocess for preparation of rituximab is described, for example, in JP-WNo. 2-503143.

The above-mentioned antitumor alkylating agents are commerciallyavailable, as exemplified by the following: nitrogen mustard N-oxidefrom Mitsubishi Pharma Corp. as Nitromin (tradename); cyclophosphamidefrom Shionogi & Co., Ltd. as Endoxan (tradename); ifosfamide fromShionogi & Co., Ltd. as Ifomide (tradename); melphalan fromGlaxoSmithKline Corp. as Alkeran (tradename); busulfan from TakedaPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Mablin (tradename); mitobronitol from KyorinPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Myebrol (tradename); carboquone from SankyoCo., Ltd. as Esquinon (tradename); thiotepa from Sumitomo PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. as Tespamin (tradename); ranimustine from Mitsubishi PharmaCorp. as Cymerin (tradename); nimustine from Sankyo Co., Ltd. as Nidran(tradename); temozolomide from Schering Corp. as Temodar (tradename);and carmustine from Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. as Gliadel Wafer(tradename).

The above-mentioned antitumor antimetabolites are commerciallyavailable, as exemplified by the following: methotrexate from TakedaPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Methotrexate (tradename); 6-mercaptopurineriboside from Aventis Corp. as Thioinosine (tradename); mercaptopurinefrom Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Leukerin (tradename);5-fluorouracil from Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. as 5-FU (tradename);tegafur from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Futraful (tradename);doxifluridine from Nippon Roche Co., Ltd. as Furutulon (tradename);carmofur from Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Yamafur(tradename); cytarabine from Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. as Cylocide(tradename); cytarabine ocfosfate from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. asStrasid (tradename); enocitabine from Asahi Kasei Corp. as Sanrabin(tradename); S-1 from Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as TS-1(tradename); gemcitabine from Eli Lilly & Co. as Gemzar (tradename);fludarabine from Nippon Schering Co., Ltd. as Fludara (tradename); andpemetrexed disodium from Eli Lilly & Co. as Alimta (tradename).

The above-mentioned antitumor antibiotics are commercially available, asexemplified by the following: actinomycin D from Banyu PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. as Cosmegen (tradename); doxorubicin from Kyowa Hakko KogyoCo., Ltd. as adriacin (tradename); daunorubicin from Meiji Seika KaishaLtd. as Daunomycin; neocarzinostatin from Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. as Neocarzinostatin (tradename); bleomycin from Nippon Kayaku Co.,Ltd. as Bleo (tradename); pepromycin from Nippon Kayaku Co, Ltd. asPepro (tradename); mitomycin C from Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. asMitomycin (tradename); aclarubicin from Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. as Aclacinon (tradename); pirarubicin from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.as Pinorubicin (tradename); epirubicin from Pharmacia Corp. asPharmorubicin (tradename); zinostatin stimalamer from YamanouchiPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Smancs (tradename); idarubicin fromPharmacia Corp. as Idamycin (tradename); sirolimus from Wyeth Corp. asRapamune (tradename); and valrubicin from Anthra Pharmaceuticals Inc. asValstar (tradename).

The above-mentioned plant-derived antitumor agents are commerciallyavailable, as exemplified by the following: vincristine from Shionogi &Co., Ltd. as Oncovin (tradename); vinblastine from Kyorin PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. as Vinblastine (tradename); vindesine from Shionogi & Co.,Ltd. as Fildesin (tradename); etoposide from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. asLastet (tradename); sobuzoxane from Zenyaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. as Perazolin(tradename); docetaxel from Aventis Corp. as Taxsotere (tradename);paclitaxel from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. as Taxol (tradename); andvinorelbine from Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. as Navelbine (tradename).

The above-mentioned antitumor platinum coordination compounds arecommercially available, as exemplified by the following: cisplatin fromNippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. as Randa (tradename); carboplatin fromBristol-Myers Squibb Co. as Paraplatin (tradename); nedaplatin fromShionogi & Co., Ltd. as Aqupla (tradename); and oxaliplatin fromSanofi-Synthelabo Co. as Eloxatin (tradename).

The above-mentioned antitumor camptothecin derivatives are commerciallyavailable, as exemplified by the following: irinotecan from YakultHonsha Co., Ltd. as Campto (tradename); topotecan from GlaxoSmithKlineCorp. as Hycamtin (tradename); and camptothecin from Aldrich ChemicalCo., Inc., U.S.A.

The above-mentioned antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors arecommercially available, as exemplified by the following: gefitinib fromAstraZeneca Corp. as Iressa (tradename); imatinib from Novartis AG asGleevec (tradename); sorafenib from Bayer as Nexavar (tradename);sunitinib from Pfizer as Sutent (tradename); dasatinib from BristolMyers Squibb as Sprycel (tradename); and erlotinib from OSIPharmaceuticals Inc. as Tarceva (tradename).

The above-mentioned monoclonal antibodies are commercially available, asexemplified by the following: cetuximab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. asErbitux (tradename); bevacizumab from Genentech, Inc. as Avastin(tradename); rituximab from Biogen Idec Inc. as Rituxan (tradename);alemtuzumab from Berlex Inc. as Campath (tradename); and trastuzumabfrom Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Herceptin (tradename).

The above-mentioned interferons are commercially available, asexemplified by the following: interferon α from Sumitomo PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. as Sumiferon (tradename); interferon α-2a from TakedaPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Canferon-A (tradename); interferon α-2b fromSchering-Plough Corp. as Intron A (tradename); interferon β from MochidaPharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as IFNβ (tradename); interferon γ-1a fromShionogi & Co., Ltd. as Immunomax-γ (tradename); and interferon γ-n1from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Ogamma (tradename).

The above-mentioned biological response modifiers are commerciallyavailable, as exemplified by the following: krestin from Sankyo Co.,Ltd. as krestin (tradename); lentinan from Aventis Corp. as Lentinan(tradename); sizofuran from Kaken Seiyaku Co., Ltd. as Sonifuran(tradename); picibanil from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. as Picibanil(tradename); and ubenimex from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. as Bestatin(tradename).

The above-mentioned other antitumor agents are commercially available,as exemplified by the following: mitoxantrone from Wyeth Lederle Japan,Ltd. as Novantrone (tradename); L-asparaginase from Kyowa Hakko KogyoCo., Ltd. as Leunase (tradename); procarbazine from Nippon Roche Co.,Ltd. as Natulan (tradename); dacarbazine from Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co.,Ltd. as Dacarbazine (tradename); hydroxycarbamide from Bristol-MyersSquibb Co. as Hydrea (tradename); pentostatin from Kagaku Oyobi KesseiRyoho Kenkyusho as Coforin (tradename); tretinoin from Nippon Roche Co.,Ltd. As Vesanoid (tradename); alefacept from Biogen Idec Inc. as Amevive(tradename); darbepoetin alfa from Amgen Inc. as Aranesp (tradename);anastrozole from AstraZeneca Corp. as Arimidex (tradename); exemestanefrom Pfizer Inc. as Aromasin (tradename); bicalutamide from AstraZenecaCorp. as Casodex (tradename); leuprorelin from Takeda PharmaceuticalCo., Ltd. as Leuplin (tradename); flutamide from Schering-Plough Corp.as Eulexin (tradename); fulvestrant from AstraZeneca Corp. as Faslodex(tradename); pegaptanib octasodium from Gilead Sciences, Inc. as Macugen(tradename); denileukin diftitox from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. asOntak (tradename); aldesleukin from Chiron Corp. as Proleukin(tradename); thyrotropin alfa from Genzyme Corp. as Thyrogen(tradename); arsenic trioxide from Cell Therapeutics, Inc. as Trisenox(tradename); bortezomib from Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as Velcade(tradename); capecitabine from Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd. as Xeloda(tradename); and goserelin from AstraZeneca Corp. as Zoladex(tradename).

The term “antitumor agent” as used in the specification includes theabove-described “antitumor alkylating agent”, “antitumorantimetabolite”, “antitumor antibiotic”, “plant-derived antitumoragent”, “antitumor platinum coordination compound”, “antitumorcamptothecin derivative”, “antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitor”,“monoclonal antibody”, “interferon”, “biological response modifier” and“other antitumor agent”.

The term “aminopyridine derivative” as used in the specificationincludes, but is not limited to, any compound having a pyridyl group ora pyridine analogue group, any of which is substituted with an aminogroup. It is exemplified by a compound of the above General Formula (I),and preferably any one compound of the below-mentioned (a) to (l): acompound which is:

-   (a)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid (Example 1 and 2);-   (b)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid (Example 4);-   (c)    trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid (Example 6);-   (d)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid (Example 9);-   (e)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide    (Example 15);-   (f)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one    (Example 20);-   (g)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one    (Example 23);-   (h)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one    (Example 29);-   (i)    5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one    (Example 36),-   (j)    trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid (Example 40),-   (k)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one    (Example 41), or-   (l)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione    (Example 42),    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Embodiments of the compound represented by the above Formula (I) will beillustrated in more detail.

R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1), CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′,NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′, NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″,NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′, NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9),SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), NR_(a12)R_(a12)′, lower alkyl which may besubstituted, or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted,

wherein:

-   -   R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), and R_(a8) are each        independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be        substituted;    -   R_(a2), R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), and        R_(a12)′ are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl        which may be substituted, provided, however, that R_(a2) and        R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ and R_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and        R_(a12)′ each independently, together with the nitrogen atom        which they bind to, may form a heterocyclic group which may be        substituted;    -   R_(a3)′, R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′, R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11)        are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may        be substituted.

Preferably, R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1), CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′,NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′, NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″,NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′, NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9),SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), or NR_(a12)R_(a12)′,

wherein:

-   -   R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), and R_(a8) are each        independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl;    -   R_(a2), R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), and        R_(a12)′ are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl        which may be substituted with one or more of the same or        different substituents selected from <substituent group L₁>,        wherein <substituent group L₁> is a halogen atom, hydroxy,        nitro, cyano, amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower        alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower        alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower        alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower        alkylthio, and carboxyl; provided, however, that R_(a2) and        R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ and R_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and        R_(a12)′ each independently, together with the nitrogen atom        which they bind to, may form a 5-membered or 6-membered aromatic        or aliphatic heterocyclic group which may be substituted with        one or more of the same or different substituents selected from        <substituent group L₂>, wherein <substituent group L₂> is a        halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, and hydroxymethyl;    -   R_(a3)′, R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′, R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11)        are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may        be substituted with one or more of the same or different        substituents selected from <substituent group L₁>; or

R₁ is a lower alkyl which may be substituted with one or more of thesame or different substituents selected from <substituent group M>,wherein <substituent group M> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower alkylamino, di-loweralkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy,lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, loweralkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio, and carboxyl; or

R₁ is a heterocyclic group selected from the following, wherein Y₁ andY₂ are the same and different, and each a hydrogen atom or lower alkylwhich may be substituted:

More preferably, R₁ is OH, COOH, or CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′ wherein R_(a2) andR_(a2)′ are the same or different, and each a hydrogen atom or loweralkyl having one to three carbon atoms; or R₁ is selected from thefollowing:

<substituent group L₁> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino,carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino,lower alkylsulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, loweralkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, loweralkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio, and carboxyl; preferably, a halogen atom,hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, andlower alkoxy.

<substituent group L₂> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, andhydroxymethyl; preferably hydroxy and hydroxymethyl.

<substituent group M> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino,carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino,lower alkylsulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, loweralkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, loweralkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio, and carboxyl; preferably, a hydroxy,carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonylamino, and carboxyl.

R₁′ is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be substituted;preferably, a hydrogen atom.

R₂ is O, S, SO, SO₂, NH, NR_(b), or CR_(c1)R_(c2) wherein R_(b) is alower alkyl which may be substituted, and R_(c1) and R_(c2), which maybe the same or different, are a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which maybe substituted.

Preferably, R₂ is O, S, SO, or SO₂; more preferably, O.

R₃ is a phenyl which may be substituted; preferably, R₃ is a phenylwhich is substituted; more preferably, R₃ is phenyl of which 2^(nd) and3^(rd) positions are substituted with the same or different twosubstituents selected from F, Cl, CF₃, and CN.

X₁ is CH, CX_(1a), or N wherein X_(1a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted.

Preferably, X₁ is CH or N; more preferably, CH.

X₂ is CH, CX_(2a), or N wherein:

-   -   X_(2a) is a lower alkyl; or    -   X_(2a) is a substituent selected from <substituent group A₁>, or        lower alkyl which is substituted with one or more of the same or        different substituents selected from <substituent group A₁>,        wherein <substituent group A₁> is halogen atom; cyano; hydroxy;        lower alkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; lower alkoxy which may be        substituted with one or more hydroxy groups; lower alkylthio;        and lower alkylsulfonyl; or    -   X_(2a) is COOR_(x1), CONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHCOR_(x1),        NHCONR_(x2)R_(x3)NHSO₂NR_(x2)R_(x3), NR_(x4)R_(x5), or        CH₂NR_(x4)R_(x5), wherein:        -   R_(x1) is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be            substituted;        -   R_(x2) and R_(x3), which may be the same or different, are            each a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl which may be substituted,            or cycloalkyl which may be substituted; or alternatively            R_(x2) and R_(x3), together with the nitrogen atom to which            they bond, form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic            group which contains at least one atom selected from N, O            and S and which may be substituted; and        -   R_(x4) and R_(x5), which may be the same or different, are a            hydrogen atom, lower alkyl that may be substituted, or            cycloalkyl that may be substituted; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted, wherein two hydrogen atoms that are bonded        to the same carbon atom of the aliphatic heterocyclic group may        be substituted with oxo and neighboring two carbon atoms        constituting the aliphatic heterocyclic ring may form a        double-bond; or lower alkyl which is substituted with the        aliphatic heterocyclic group; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted; or lower alkyl which is substituted with the        aromatic heterocyclic group.

Preferably, X₂ is CH, CX_(2a) or N wherein X_(2a) is a lower alkyl or ahalogen atom.

More preferably, X₂ is CH or N

X₃ is CH, CX₃a, or N wherein X_(3a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted.

Preferably, X₃ is CH.

However, among X₁, X₂ and X₃, the number of nitrogen is 0 or 1;

With regard to the combinations between X₁ and X₂, preferably, both X₁and X₂ are CH; or X₁ is CH and X₂ is N; or X₁ is N and X₂ is CH orCX_(2a) wherein X_(2a) is a lower alkyl or halogen atom.

With regard to the combinations between X₁ and X₂, more preferably, bothX₁ and X₂ are CH; or X₁ is CH and X₂ is N.

<substituent group A₁> is halogen atom; cyano; hydroxy; loweralkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; lower alkoxy which may be substitutedwith one or more hydroxy groups; lower alkylthio; and loweralkylsulfonyl; preferably, halogen atom, hydroxy, di-lower alkylaminoand lower alkylsulfonyl.

W is the following residue:

wherein:

W₁ is CH, N, NH, O, or S;

W₂ is CH, CW_(2a), N, NW_(2b), O or S, wherein W_(2a) and W_(2b) areeach independently a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, lower alkylhaving one to two carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having three to five carbonatoms, or lower alkyl having one to two carbon atoms which may besubstituted with one or more halogen atoms;

W₃ is C or N; and

at least one of W₁, W₂, and W₃ is a carbon atom; however two of W₁, W₂,and W₃ are not simultaneously O and S.

W is preferably selected from:

W is more preferably selected from:

wherein W_(2a) is a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, or methyl whichmay be substituted with one to three fluorine atoms.

W is particularly preferably selected from:

W is still more preferably selected from:

A preferred embodiment of the compound represented by the above Formula(I) can be also expressed as follows:

(1) The compound of the above Formula (I) or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R₁′ is a hydrogen atom, and X₃is CH; or

(2) The compound as described in above (1), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1), CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′,NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′, NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″,NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′, NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9),SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), or NR_(a12)R_(a12)′,

wherein:

-   -   R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), and R_(a8) are each        independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl;    -   R_(a2), R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), and        R_(a12)′ are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl        which may be substituted with one or more of the same or        different substituents selected from <substituent group L₁>,        wherein <substituent group L₁> is a halogen atom, hydroxy,        nitro, cyano, amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower        alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower        alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower        alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower        alkylthio, and carboxyl; provided, however, that R_(a2) and        R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ and R_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and        R_(a12)′ each independently, together with the nitrogen atom        which they bind to, may form a 5-membered or 6-membered aromatic        or aliphatic heterocyclic group which may be substituted with        one or more of the same or different substituents selected from        <substituent group L₂>, wherein <substituent group L₂> is a        halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, and hydroxymethyl;    -   R_(a3)′, R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′, R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11),        are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may        be substituted with one or more of the same or different        substituents selected from <substituent group L₁>; or

R₁ is a lower alkyl which may be substituted with one or more of thesame or different substituents selected from <substituent group M>,wherein <substituent group M> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, lower alkylamino, di-loweralkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy,lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, loweralkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio, and carboxyl; or

R₁ is a heterocyclic group selected from the following, wherein Y₁ andY₂ are the same and different, and each a hydrogen atom or lower alkylwhich may be substituted:

(3) The compound as described in (1) or (2) above, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein W is selected from:

(4) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (3) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R₃ is aphenyl of which 2^(nd) and 3^(rd) positions are substituted with thesame or different two substituents selected from F, Cl, CF₃, and CN; or

(5) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (4) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein <substituentgroup L₁> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl, loweralkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, and lower alkoxy; and <substituentgroup M> is a hydroxy, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, loweralkylsulfonylamino, and carboxyl; or

(6) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (5) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein both X₁ andX₂ are CH; or

-   -   X₁ is CH and X₂ is N; or    -   X₁ is N and X₂ is CH or CX_(2a) wherein X_(2a) is a lower alkyl        or a halogen atom; or

(7) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (6) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein R₁ is OH,COOH, or CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′ wherein R_(a2) and R_(a2)′ are the same ordifferent, and each a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl having one to threecarbon atoms; or R₁ is selected from the following:

and R₂ is O, S, SO, or SO₂; or

(8) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (7) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

W is selected from:

wherein W_(2a) is a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, or methyl whichmay be substituted with one to three fluorine atoms; or

(9) The compound as described in any one of (1) to (8) above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein both of X₁and X₂ are CH; or X₁ is CH and X₂ is N; and W is any one of thefollowing:

(10) A compound which is:

-   (a)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (b)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (c)    trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (d)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (e)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;-   (f)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (g)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (h)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (i)    5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,-   j)    trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid,-   (k)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,    or-   (l)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Also, in another embodiment, the invention relates to a compound ofgeneral formula (I₀):

wherein:

R₁₀ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, OH, CH₂OH, COOH, or CONR_(a10)R_(a20)wherein R_(a10) and R_(a20), which may be the same or different, are ahydrogen atom or lower alkyl;

R₂₀ is O, S, NH, NR_(b), or CR_(c1)R_(c2) wherein R_(b) is a loweralkyl, and R_(c1) and R_(c2), which may be the same or different, are ahydrogen atom or lower alkyl;

R₃ is phenyl which may be substituted;

X₁ is CH, CX_(1a), or N wherein X_(1a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted;

X₂ is CH, CX_(2a), or N wherein:

-   -   X_(2a) is a lower alkyl; or    -   X_(2a) is a substituent selected from <substituent group A₁>, or        lower alkyl which is substituted with one or more of the same or        different substituents selected from <substituent group A₁>,        wherein <substituent group A₁> is halogen atom; cyano; hydroxy;        lower alkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; lower alkoxy which may be        substituted with one or more hydroxy groups; lower alkylthio;        and lower alkylsulfonyl; or    -   X_(2a) is COOR_(x), CONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHCOR_(x1),        NHCONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHSO₂NR_(x2)R_(x3), NR_(x4)R_(x5), or        CH₂NR_(x4)R_(x5), wherein:        -   R_(x1) is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be            substituted;        -   R_(x2) and R_(x3), which may be the same or different, are            each a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl which may be substituted,            or cycloalkyl which may be substituted; or alternatively            R_(x2) and R_(x3), together with the nitrogen atom to which            they bond, form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic            group which contains at least one atom selected from N, O            and S and which may be substituted; and        -   R_(x4) and R_(x5), which may be the same or different, are a            hydrogen atom, lower alkyl that may be substituted, or            cycloalkyl that may be substituted; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted, wherein two hydrogen atoms that are bonded        to the same carbon atom of the aliphatic heterocyclic group may        be substituted with oxo and neighboring two carbon atoms        constituting the aliphatic heterocyclic ring may form a        double-bond; or lower alkyl which is substituted with the        aliphatic heterocyclic group; or    -   X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which        contains at least one atom selected from N, O and S and which        may be substituted; or a lower alkyl which is substituted with        the aromatic heterocyclic group;

provided, however, that among X₁ and X₂, the number of nitrogen is 0 or1;

W is the following residue:

wherein:

W₁ is CH, N, NH, O, or S;

W₂ is CH, CW_(2a), N, NW_(2b), O or S, wherein W_(2a) and W_(2b) areeach independently a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, lower alkylhaving one to two carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having three to five carbonatoms, or lower alkyl having one to two carbon atoms which may besubstituted with one or more halogen atoms;

W₃ is C or N; and

at least one of W₁, W₂, and W₃ is a carbon atom; however two of W₁, W₂,and W₃ are not simultaneously O and S,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Further, in the combined preparation comprising two separatepreparations according to the invention, preferably either or both ofthe two separate preparations are an oral preparation.

The combined preparation comprising two separate preparations accordingto the invention is preferably such that one of the preparations is apreparation containing, together with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier or diluent, the following:

-   (a)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (b)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (c)    trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (d)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (e)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;-   (f)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (g)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (h)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (i)    5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,-   (j)    trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid,-   (k)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,    or-   (l)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and

the other preparation is a preparation containing paclitaxel ordocetaxel, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof,together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Moreover, the combined preparation comprising two separate preparationsaccording to the invention may be further combined with at least onepreparation containing, together with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier or diluent, an antitumor agent selected from the groupconsisting of antitumor alkylating agents, antitumor antimetabolites,antitumor antibiotics, plant-derived antitumor agents, antitumorplatinum coordination compounds, antitumor camptothecin derivatives,antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies,interferons, biological response modifiers and other antitumor agents(here, definition of each antitumor agent is the same as that definedabove), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.

Also, the pharmaceutical composition according to the inventionpreferably contains, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrieror diluent, the following:

-   (a)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (b)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (c)    trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (d)    trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid;-   (e)    trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;-   (f)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (g)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (h)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;-   (i)    5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,-   j)    trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic    acid,-   (k)    5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,    or-   (l)    5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and    paclitaxel or docetaxel, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or    ester thereof.

Description of the Process for Preparation of Compound of GeneralFormula (I)

Among the Compounds Represented by the General Formula (I):

(wherein R₁, R₁′, R₂, R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)) according to the invention, thecompound of Formula (I-1):

(wherein R₁ is COOH; R₁′ is a hydrogen atom; R₂ is O or S; R₃, X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)) can be prepared by, for example, the following method. Hereinafter,the phrase “symbols for the above Formula (I)” as used herein means “therespective symbols as described for General Formula (I) initiallydescribed in the present specification.”

(Process 1) The present process is a method of introducing a protectivegroup PG₁ such as a tert-butyldimethylsilyl group to Compound (II)(wherein LG₁ represents a leaving group such as halogen, and X₁, X₂, andX₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),thereby to produce Compound (III) (wherein LG₁ and PG₁ have the samemeaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (II) used in this process may be exemplified by(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methanol, (4-chloropyridin-2-yl)methanol, and thelike. The Compound (II) is commercially available or can be prepared bya known method.

As to the protective group PG₁, a method of protection may varydepending on the type of the protective group, but methods described inthe literature [See T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in OrganicSynthesis, John Wiley & Sons (1981)] or methods equivalent thereto canbe utilized. For example, the Compound (II) can be protected by usingtert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride in a solvent such asN,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of a base such as imidazole. Whentert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride is used for a protection reaction,tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride is used in an amount of from 1 to 10mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol, and the base is used in an amount offrom 1 to 20 mol, preferably from 1 to 5 mol, relative to 1 mol ofCompound (II). In this case, the reaction temperature may beappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent. Also, the reaction istypically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction timecan be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (III) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 2) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(III) (wherein LG₁ and PG₁ have the same meaning as defined above, andX₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)), obtained in the above-described Process 1, and Compound(IV) (wherein PG₂ may be absent, or if present, it is a protective groupsuch as 4-methoxybenzyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, benzyl, methoxymethyl,(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl or tert-butyl, preferably(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl, methoxymethyl or tert-butyl, and W hasthe same meaning as the symbol for the above Formula (I)), to anamination reaction, thereby to produce Compound (V) (wherein PG₁ and PG₂have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (IV) used in this process may be exemplified by2-aminothiazol-5-carbonitrile, 2-aminothiazole,2-amino-5-methylthiazole, 5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazole,5-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-tert-butyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, and the like. The Compound(IV) is commercially available or can be prepared by a known method(e.g., Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and the Related Elements, Vol.177, No. 11, pages 2651-2659 (2002), and Journal of Chemical Research,Synopses, Vol. 6, page 198 (1979)).

The amination reaction used in this process employs a method well knownto those skilled in the art. The amination reaction, for example, can becarried out in accordance with a method described in Organic Letter(2002), Vol. 4, 3481. In the amination reaction used in the process,specifically, for example, synthesis can be conducted by reacting theCompound (III) and Compound (IV) in a solvent such as 1,4-dioxane,1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform ortoluene, using a palladium catalyst such as trisdibenzylideneacetonedipalladium (0) or palladium acetate; a ligand such as2,2′-bisdiphenylphosphino-1,1′-binaphthyl or4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9-dimethylxanthene; and a base such ascesium carbonate or sodium t-butoxide. In the reaction, 0.5 to 3 mol,preferably 1 mol, of Compound (IV) is used; 0.001 to 1 mol, preferably0.05 to 0.5 mol, of the palladium catalyst is used; 0.002 to 2 mol,preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mol, of the ligand is used; and 1 to 10 mol,preferably 1 to 3 mol, of the base is used, relative to 1 mol ofcompound (III). The reaction temperature is appropriately selected by aperson skilled in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from 50° C. to the boilingpoint of the solvent used in the reaction. Also, the reaction istypically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction timecan be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (V) is subjected to isolation and purification byknown separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or maybesubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 3) The present process is a method of deprotecting a protectinggroup PG₁ of Compound (V) (wherein PG₁ and PG₂ have the same meaning asdefined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in the above-describedProcess 2, thereby to produce Compound (VI) (wherein PG₂ has the samemeaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)).

For removal of the protective group PG₁ used in this process, the methodof removal may vary depending on the type of the protective group andstability of the compound, but methods described in the literature [SeeT. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons(1981)] or methods equivalent thereto can be carried out. For example,the Compound (V) in which PG₁ is tert-butyldimethylsilyl can bedeprotected in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran usingtetrabutylammonium fluoride, or the like. When tetrabutylammoniumfluoride is used for the deprotection reaction, tetrabutylammoniumfluoride is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (V). The reaction temperature canbe appropriately selected by a person having ordinary skill in the artin accordance with the starting compound or reaction solvent used, butit is typically from 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent. Also,the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but thereaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (VI) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 4) The present process is a method of converting a hydroxygroup of Compound (VI) obtained in the above-described Process 3(wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, andW have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)) to aleaving group such as methylsulfonyloxy, chloro, or bromo, thereby toproduce Compound (VII) (wherein LG₂ represents a leaving group such asmethylsulfonyloxy or halogen atom, PG₂ has the same meaning as definedabove, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols forthe above Formula (I)).

The reaction used in this process employs methods well known to thoseskilled in the art. In the reaction used in this process, specifically,for example, Compound (VII) in which LG₂ is methylsulfonyloxy can beobtained by reacting the Compound (VI) with methanesulfonyl chloride ina solvent such as chloroform, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran,N,N-dimethylformamide, diethyl ether or ethyl acetate, in the presenceof a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine. In this case,methanesulfonyl chloride is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the base is used in an amount of from 1to 20 mol, preferably from 1 to 6 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound(VI). The reaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the startingcompound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. toroom temperature. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 10minutes to 2 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extendedor reduced.

Also, the Compound (VII) in which LG₂ is bromo can be obtained byreacting the Compound (VII) in which LG₂ is methylsulfonyloxy, withlithium bromide in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide,N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, or the like. In this case, lithium bromide isused in an amount of from 1 to 100 mol, preferably from 1 to 10 mol,relative to 1 mol of Compound (VII) in which LG₂ is methylsulfonyloxy.The reaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the startingcompound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. to theboiling temperature of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typicallycompleted between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can beappropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (VII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 5) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(VII) (wherein LG₂ and PG₂ have the same meaning as defined above, andX₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)), obtained in the above-described Process 4, and Compound(VIII) (wherein PG₃ is a protecting group such astert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl or tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl, and PG₄ is aprotecting group such as methyl, ethyl, or tert-butyl), to an alkylationreaction, thereby to produce Compound (IX) (wherein PG₂, PG₃ and PG₄have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (VIII) used in this process may be exemplified bytert-butyl 4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate,ethyl 4-((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate, and thelike. The Compound (VIII) can be prepared using ethyl4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate in accordance with a known protecting ordeprotecting method [Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, T. W.Greene, John Wiley & Sons (1981)].

The alkylation reaction used in this process employs methods well knownto those skilled in the art. In the amination reaction used in thisprocess, specifically, for example, the Compound (IX) can be synthesizedby reacting the Compound (VIII) in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuranwith a base such as lithium diisopropylamide or lithiumhexamethyldisilazide to produce an enolate form of the Compound (IX),followed by adding thereto the Compound (VII) and if necessary anadditive such as hexamethylphosphoric triamide or1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, and the like, thereby to produce theCompound (IX). In this reaction, Compound (VIII) is used in an amount offrom 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the base is used in anamount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the additiveis used in an amount of from 1 to 100 mol, preferably from 1 to 10 mol,relative to 1 mol of Compound (VII). The reaction temperature can beappropriately selected by a person having ordinary skill in the art inaccordance with the starting compound or reaction solvent used, but itis typically from −78° C. to room temperature. Also, the reaction istypically completed within 1 hour to 48 hours, but the reaction time canbe appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (IX) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 6) The present process is a method of deprotecting a protectivegroup PG₃ of the Compound (IX) (wherein PG₂, PG₃ and PG₄ have the samemeaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in the above-describedProcess 5, thereby to produce Compound (X) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have thesame meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the samemeaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

For the deprotection reaction of PG₃, the method may vary depending onthe type of the protective group or stability of the compound, butmethods described in the literature [See T. W. Greene, Protective Groupsin Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons (1981)] or methods equivalentthereto can be carried out. For example, the Compound (IX) in which PG₃is tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl can be deprotected using tetrabutylammoniumfluoride in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, or the like. Whentetrabutylammonium fluoride is used for the deprotection reaction,tetrabutylammonium fluoride is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 5 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (IX). Thereaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. to the boilingpoint of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typically completed between1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extendedor reduced.

The resulting Compound (X) is subjected to isolation and purification byknown separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 7) The present process is a method of reacting the Compound (X)(wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above-described Process 6, with Compound (XI)(wherein R₂ is O or S; and R₃ has the same meaning as the symbols forthe above Formula (I)), thereby to produce Compound (XII) (wherein R₂ isO or S; PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, and R₃, X₁,X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)).

The Compound (XI) used in this process is, for example,3-chloro-2-fluorophenol, 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol,2,3-difluorophenol, 2,3-dichlorothiophenol, and the like. The Compound(XI) is commercially available.

The reaction used in this process employs methods well known to thoseskilled in the art, for example, the Mitsunobu reaction [Synthesis(1981), 1]. In the Mitsunobu reaction used in this process,specifically, for example, the Compound (XII) can be synthesized byreacting the Compound (X) and the Compound (XI) in a solvent such astetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform or ethyl acetate, with a phosphinecompound such as, for example, triphenylphosphine, tributylphosphine, ortrifurylphosphine and also with an azo compound such as, for example,diethyl azodicarboxylate, diisopropyl azodicarboxylate, di-tert-butylazodicarboxylate. In this case, Compound (XI) is used in an amount offrom 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the phosphine compoundis used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol;and the azo compound is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (X). Thereaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. to the boilingtemperature of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typically completedbetween 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriatelyextended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 8) The present process is a method of converting a hydroxygroup of the Compound (X) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning asdefined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in the above-describedProcess 6, into a leaving group such as methylsulfonyloxy, chloro, orbromo, thereby to produce Compound (XIII) (wherein LG₃ is a leavinggroup such as, for example, methylsulfonyloxy, or halogen atom, PG₂ andPG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W havethe same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The reaction used in this process employs methods well known to thoseskilled in the art. The reaction used in this process, specifically, forexample, the Compound (XIII) (wherein LG₃ is methylsulfonyloxy) can beobtained by reacting the Compound (X) with methanesulfonyl chloride in asolvent such as chloroform, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran,N,N-dimethylformamide, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, in the presence ofa base such as triethylamine, or diisopropylethylamine. In this case,methanesulfonyl chloride is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the base is used in an amount of from 1to 20 mol, preferably from 1 to 6 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound(X). The reaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the startingcompound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. toroom temperature. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 10minutes to 2 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extendedor reduced.

The resulting Compound (XIII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 9) The present process is a method of reacting the Compound(XIII) (wherein LG₃, PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above,and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)), obtained in the above-described Process 8, with Compound(XI) (wherein R₂ is O or S; and R₃ has the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)), thereby to produce Compound (XII) (whereinPG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, R₂ is O or S, andX₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)).

The Compound (XI) used in this process can be exemplified by3-chloro-2-fluorophenol, 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol,2,3-difluorophenol, 2,3-dichlorothiophenol. As described before, theCompound (XI) is commercially available.

The reaction used in this process employs a method well known to thoseskilled in the art. In the reaction used in this process, specifically,for example, synthesis can be conducted by reacting the Compound (XIII)and the Compound (XI) with a base such as potassium carbonate or cesiumcarbonate, in a solvent such as, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide orN-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. In this case, Compound (XI) is used in anamount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol; and the base isused in an amount of from 1 to 20 mol, preferably from 1 to 5 mol,relative to 1 mol of Compound (XIII). The reaction temperature can beappropriately selected by a person having ordinary skill in the art inaccordance with the starting compound or reaction solvent used, but itis typically from room temperature to the boiling temperature of thesolvent. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 10) The present process is a method of deprotecting theprotective groups PG₂ and PG₄ of the Compound (XII) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄have the same meaning as defined above, R₂ is O or S, and R₃, X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above-described Processes 7 or 9, thereby toproduce Compound (1-1) (wherein R₂ is O or S, and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and Whave the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

For the deprotection reaction of PG₂ and PG₄, the method may varydepending on the type of the protective group or stability of thecompound, but methods described in the literature [See T. W. Greene,Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons (1981)] ormethods equivalent thereto can be carried out. For example, the Compound(XII) (wherein PG₂ is methoxymethyl, and PG₄ is tert-butyl) can bedeprotected using a hydrogen chloride solution in 1,4-dioxane. When thehydrogen chloride solution in 1,4-dioxane is used for the deprotectionreaction, hydrogen chloride is used in an amount of from 1 to 1000 mol,preferably from 10 to 100 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (XII). Thereaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from room temperature to theboiling point of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typically completedbetween 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriatelyextended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (1-1) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography.

The Compound (XII) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as definedabove, R₂ is O or S, and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)) can be produced, for example, bythe following method:

(Process 11) The present process is a method of converting a hydroxygroup of the Compound (II) (wherein LG₁ is a leaving group such ashalogen atom, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)), into a leaving group such as, for example,methylsulfonyloxy, chloro, or bromo, thereby to produce Compound (XIV)(wherein LG₄ is a leaving group such as, for example, methylsulfonyloxyor halogen atom; LG₁ have the same meaning as defined above; and X₁, X₂,and X₃ has the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (II) used in this process can be exemplified by(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methanol, (4-chloropyrazin-2-yl)methanol. TheCompound (II) is commercially available or can be produced by a knownmethod.

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 4, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XIV) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 12) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(XIV) (wherein LG₄ is a leaving group such as methylsulfonyloxy, halogenatom, and the like, LG₁ has the same meaning as defined above, and X₁,X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above-described Process 11, and Compound (VIII)(wherein PG₃ is a protecting group such as tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl ortert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl, and PG₄ is a protecting group such as methyl,ethyl, tert-butyl, and the like), to an alkylation reaction, thereby toproduce Compound (XV) (wherein LG₁, PG₃ and PG₄ have the same meaning asdefined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (VIII) used in this process may be exemplified bytert-butyl 4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate,ethyl 4-((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate. TheCompound (VIII) can be prepared using ethyl4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate in accordance with a known protecting ordeprotecting method [Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, T. W.Greene, John Wiley & Sons (1981)].

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 5, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XV) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 13) The present process is a method of deprotecting theprotective group PG₃ of the Compound (XV) (wherein LG₁, PG₃ and PG₄ havethe same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the samemeaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in theabove-described Process 12, thereby to produce Compound (XVI) (whereinLG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 6, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The Compound (XVI) is subjected to isolation and purification by knownseparation and purification means such as, for example, concentration,concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization, solventextraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may be subjected tothe next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 14) The present process is a method of reacting Compound (XVI)(wherein LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂,and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),obtained in the above-described Process 13, with Compound (XI) (whereinR₂ is O or S; and R₃ has the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)), thereby to produce Compound (XVII) (wherein LG₁ and PG₄have the same meaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂,and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (XI) used in this process is, for example,3-chloro-2-fluorophenol, 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol,2,3-difluorophenol, 2,3-dichlorothiophenol, and the like. As mentionedabove, the Compound (XI) is commercially available.

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 7, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XVII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 15) The present process is a method of converting a hydroxygroup of the Compound (XVI) (wherein LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaningas defined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)) obtained in the above-describedProcess 13, into a leaving group such as, for example,methylsulfonyloxy, chloro, or bromo, thereby to produce Compound (XVIII)(wherein LG₅ is a leaving group such as, for example, methylsulfonyloxyor halogen atom; LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above; andX₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)).

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 8, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XVIII) is subjected to isolation andpurification by known separation and purification means such as, forexample, concentration, concentration under reduced pressure,crystallization, solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography,or may be subjected to the next process without isolation andpurification.

(Process 16) The present process is a method of reacting the Compound(XVIII) (wherein LG₅ is a leaving group such as, for example,methylsulfonyloxy or halogen atom; LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning asdefined above; and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)), obtained in the above-described Process 15,with Compound (XI) (wherein R₂ is O or S; and R₃ has the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)), thereby to produce Compound(XVII) (wherein LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, R₂is O or S, and R₃, X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (XI) used in this process can be exemplified by3-chloro-2-fluorophenol, 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol,2,3-difluorophenol, 2,3-dichlorothiophenol. As described before, theCompound (XI) is commercially available.

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 9, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XVII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 17) The present process is a method of subjecting Compound(XVII) (wherein LG₁ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above, R₂is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)), obtained by the above-described Processes 14or 16, and Compound (IV) (wherein PG₂ may be absent, or if present, itis a protective group such as 4-methoxybenzyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl,benzyl, methoxymethyl, (2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl or tert-butyl,preferably (2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl, methoxymethyl ortert-butyl, and W has the same meaning as the symbol for the aboveFormula (I)), to an amination reaction, thereby to produce Compound(XII) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have the same meaning as defined above; R₂ isO or S; and R₃, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (IV) used in this process may be exemplified by2-aminothiazol-5-carbonitrile, 2-aminothiazole,2-amino-5-methylthiazole, 5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazole,5-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-tert-butyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, and the like. The Compound(IV) is commercially available or can be prepared by a known method(e.g., Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and the Related Elements, Vol.177, No. 11, pages 2651-2659 (2002), and Journal of Chemical Research,Synopses, Vol. 6, page 198 (1979)).

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 2, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

The Compound (VI) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above,and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)) can be prepared, for example, by the following method:

(Process 18) The present process is a method of subjecting Compound(XIX) (wherein LG₆ and LG₇ is a leaving group such as halogen atom, andX₁, X₂, and X₃ have the same meaning as the symbols for the aboveFormula (I)) and Compound (IV) (wherein PG₂ may be absent, or ifpresent, it is a protective group such as 4-methoxybenzyl,2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, benzyl, methoxymethyl,(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl or tert-butyl, preferably(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl, methoxymethyl or tert-butyl, and W hasthe same meaning as the symbol for the above Formula (I)) to anamination reaction, thereby to produce Compound (XX) (wherein PG₂ andPG₇ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, and X₃ have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (IV) used in this process may be exemplified by2-aminothiazol-5-carbonitrile, 2-aminothiazole,2-amino-5-methylthiazole, 5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazole,5-methyl-1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine,1-tert-butyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, and the like. The Compound(IV) is commercially available or can be prepared by known methods(e.g., Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and the Related Elements, Vol.177, No. 11, pages 2651-2659 (2002), and Journal of Chemical Research,Synopses, Vol. 6, page 198 (1979)).

The present process can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 2, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination of the samewith a commonly used method.

The resulting Compound (XX) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 19) The present process is a method of subjecting Compound (XX)(wherein PG₂ and LG₇ have the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above Process 18, to a vinylation reaction,thereby to produce Compound (XXI) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning asdefined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)).

The vinylation reaction used in this process employs a method well knownto a person skilled in the art. The reaction can be carried out inaccordance with a method disclosed in literature; for example, OrganicLetters, (2002), Vol. 4, Page 107. In the vinylation reaction used inthis process, specifically, for example, the Compound (XXI) can besynthesized by reacting the Compound (XX) with potassiumvinyltrifluoroborate in a solvent such as 1-propanol in the presence ofa palladium catalyst such as, for example,1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenedichloropalladium (II) methylenechloride complex, and also with a base such as, for example,triethylamine. In this case, the palladium catalyst is used in an amountof from 0.001 to 1 mol, preferably from 0.01 to 0.5 mol; the base isused in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 5 mol; andthe vinylating agent is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (XX). Thereaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from room temperature to theboiling point of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typically completedbetween 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriatelyextended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXI) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 20) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(XXI) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above Process 19, to an oxidative cleavagereaction, thereby to produce Compound (XXII) (wherein PG₂ has the samemeaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The oxidative cleavage reaction used in this process employs a methodwell known to a person skilled in the art. The reaction can be carriedout in accordance with a method disclosed in literature; for example,Chemical Reviews (2002), Vol. 87, Page 187; and Tetrahedron Letters(1983) Vol. 24, Page 1377). In the oxidative cleavage reaction used inthis process, specifically, for example, first, the Compound (XXI) isreacted with an aqueous solution of osmium tetraoxide and a co-oxidantsuch as N-methylmorpholine N-oxide, in a solvent such as acetonitrile,to obtain the 1,2-diol form; and then the resulting 1,2-diol form isreacted with an oxidant such as sodium peridodate in a mixed solvent ofacetonitrile and water, thereby to produce the Compound (XXII). Here, inthe former reaction, osmium tetraoxide is used in an amount of from 0.01to 1 mol, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 mol; the co-oxidant is used in anamount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1 to 3 mol. On the otherhand, in the latter reaction, with regard to 1 mol of the 1,2-diol form,the oxidant is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably from 1to 3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (XXI). The reaction temperaturecan be appropriately selected by a person having ordinary skill in theart in accordance with the starting compound or reaction solvent used,but it is typically from 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent.Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours,but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 21) The present process is a method of subjecting Compound(XXII) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above, and X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), obtained in the above Process 20, to a reduction reaction, therebyto produce Compound (VI) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as definedabove, and X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols forthe above Formula (I)).

The reduction reaction used in this process employs a method well knownto a person skilled in the art. In the reduction reaction used in thisprocess, specifically, for example, the Compound (VI) can be synthesizedby reacting the Compound (XXII) with a reducing agent such as sodiumborohydride, in a solvent such as methanol, ethanol, or the like. Inthis case, the reducing agent is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably from 1 to 3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (XXII). Thereaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a person havingordinary skill in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from 0° C. to the boilingpoint of the solvent. Also, the reaction is typically completed between10 minutes to 24 hours, but the reaction time can be appropriatelyextended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXII) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

Among the compounds represented by the General Formula (I) (wherein R₁,R₁′, R₂, R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as defined in theabove) according to the invention, the compound of Formula (I-2):

(wherein R₁ is 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one; R₂ is O or S; R₁′ is ahydrogen atom; R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)) can be prepared by, for example, thefollowing method.

(Process 22) The present process is a method of deprotecting theprotective group PG₄ of Compound (XII) (wherein PG₂ and PG₄ have thesame meaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and Whave the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),obtained in the above-described Process 7, thereby to produce Compound(XXIII) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above; R₂ is O orS; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols forthe above Formula (I)).

As to the removal of the protective group PG₄ used in this process, themethod of removal may vary depending on the type of the protective groupand stability of the compound, but methods described in the literature[See T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley &Sons (1981)] or methods equivalent thereto can be carried out. Forexample, the Compound (XII) in which PG₄ is tert-butyl can bedeprotected in a mixed solvent of trifluoroacetic acid and chloroform.The reaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the startingcompound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from roomtemperature to the boiling point of the solvent. Also, the reaction istypically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction timecan be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXIII) is subjected to isolation andpurification by known separation and purification means such as, forexample, concentration, concentration under reduced pressure,crystallization, solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography,or may be subjected to the next process without isolation andpurification.

(Process 23) The present process is a method of subjecting Compound(XXIII) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above; R₂ is O orS; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃ and W have the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)), obtained by the above-described Process 22, andCompound (XXIV) (wherein PG₅ may be absent, or if present, it is aprotective group such as tert-butoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl orbenzyloxycarbonyl) to a condensation reaction, thereby to produceCompound (XXV) (wherein PG₂ and PG₅ have the same meaning as definedabove; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning asthe symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (XXIV) used in this process may be exemplified bytert-butylcarbazate, ethoxycarbonylhydrazine,benzyloxycarbonylhydrazine, or hydrazine. The Compound (XXIV) iscommercially available, or can be produced by a known method.

The condensation reaction used in this process employs the carboxylicacid of the Compound (XXIII) or a reactive derivative thereof, and theCompound (XXIV). The Compound (XXIII) as a reactive derivative can beexemplified by a mixed acid anhydride, activated ester, activated amide,and the like; they can be obtained by a method described, for example,in the international publication of WO98/05641. Specifically, thecondensation can be conducted, for example, using the Compound (XXIII)and the Compound (XXIV) in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran,dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1,4-dioxane, dichloromethane,chloroform, and the like, together with a condensation agent such as1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, and1-hydroxybenzotriazole. In this case, Compound (XXIV) is used in anamount of from 1 to 3 mol, preferably 1 mol; the condensation agent isused in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferable from 1 to 3 mol,relative to 1 mol of compound (XXIII). The reaction temperature isappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically fromroom temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used in thereaction. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXV) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 24) The present process is a method of deprotecting theprotective group PG₅ of Compound (XXV) (wherein PG₂ and PG₅ have thesame meaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and Whave the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),obtained in the above-described Process 23, thereby to produce Compound(XXVI) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S;and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)).

As to the removal of the protective group PG₅ used in this process, themethod of removal may vary depending on the type of the protective groupand stability of the compound, but methods described in the literature[See T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley &Sons (1981)] or methods equivalent thereto can be carried out. Forexample, the Compound (XXV) in which PG₅ is tert-butoxycarbonyl can bedeprotected in a mixed solvent of trifluoroacetic acid and chloroform.The reaction temperature can be appropriately selected by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the startingcompound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically from roomtemperature to the boiling point of the solvent. Also, the reaction istypically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction timecan be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXVI) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 25) The present process is a method of converting acarbohydrazide group of the Compound (XXVI) (wherein PG₂ has the samemeaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W havethe same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained inthe above-described Process 24, into a heterocyclic group thereof,thereby to produce Compound (XXVII) (wherein PG₂ has the same meaning asdefined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the samemeaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The reaction used in this process employs a method well known to aperson skilled in the art. The reaction can be carried out in accordancewith the method described in literature, for example, Journal ofMedicinal Chemistry (1993) Vol. 36, Page 1090. The reaction used in thisprocess, specifically, for example, the Compound (XXVII) can besynthesized by reacting the Compound (XXVI) with1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, if necessary using a base such astriethylamine or N,N-diisopropylethylamine, in the presence of a solventsuch as, for example, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane orN-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. In this case, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole is usedin an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol; if necessary, abase is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferable from 1 to 3mol, relative to 1 mol of compound (XXVI). The reaction temperature isappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically fromroom temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used in thereaction. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXVII) is subjected to isolation andpurification by known separation and purification means such as, forexample, concentration, concentration under reduced pressure,crystallization, solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography,or may be subjected to the next process without isolation andpurification.

If there is no need for deprotection regarding the Compound (XXVII),then the Compound (XXVII) per se becomes the compound according to thepresent invention without conducting Process 26 and the processesthereafter.

(Process 26) The present process is a method of deprotecting theprotective group PG₂ of Compound (XXVII) (wherein PG₂ has the samemeaning as defined above; R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W havethe same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained inthe above-described Process 25, thereby to produce Compound (1-2)(wherein R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaningas the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

As to the removal of the protective group PG₂ used in this process, themethod of removal may vary depending on the type of the protective groupand stability of the compound, but methods described in the literature[See T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley &Sons (1981)] or methods equivalent thereto can be carried out. Forexample, the Compound (XXVII) in which PG₂ is tert-butyl can bedeprotected in a solvent of formic acid. The reaction temperature can beappropriately selected by a person having ordinary skill in the art inaccordance with the starting compound or reaction solvent used, but itis typically from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent.Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours,but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (1-2) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography.

Among the compounds represented by the General Formula (I) (wherein R₁,R₁′, R₂, R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as defined in theabove) according to the invention, the compound of Formula (I-3)(wherein R₁ is 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one; R₁′ is a hydrogen atom; R₂ isSO₂; R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)) can be prepared by, for example, the followingmethod.

(Process 27) Among the Compound (1-2) (wherein R₂ is O or S; and R₃, X₁,X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)), the present process is a method of oxidizing the sulfur atom ofCompound (1-2′) (wherein R₂ is S; and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in theabove Process 26, thereby to produce Compound (1-3) (wherein R₂ is SO₂;and R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)).

The oxidation reaction used in this process employs a method well-knownto a person skilled in the art. The reaction can be carried out inaccordance with the method described in literature, for example,Tetrahedron Letters (1981) Vol. 22, Page 1287. In the oxidation reactionused in this process, specifically, for example, the Compound (1-3) canbe synthesized by reacting Compound (1-2′) with OXONE® (Trade name;purchased from Aldrich, Co. Ltd.), in a mixed solvent of acetonitrileand water. In this case, OXONE® is used in an amount of from 1 to 10mol, preferably 2 to 5 mol, relative to 1 mol of compound (1-2′). Thereaction temperature is appropriately selected by a person skilled inthe art in accordance with the starting compound or reaction solventused, but it is typically from room temperature to the boiling point ofthe solvent used in the reaction. Also, the reaction is typicallycompleted between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction time can beappropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (1-3) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography.

Among the compounds represented by the General Formula (I) (wherein R₁,R₁′, R₂, R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as defined in theabove) according to the invention, the compound of Formula (I-4)(wherein R₁ is CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′; R₁′ is a hydrogen atom; R₂ is O or S;R₃, R_(a2), R_(a2)′ X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)) can be prepared by, for example, thefollowing method.

(Process 28) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(I-1) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaningas the symbols for the above Formula (I)), obtained in the above Process10, and Compound (XXVIII) (wherein R_(a2) and R_(a2)′ have the samemeaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)), to a condensationreaction, thereby to produce Compound (1-4) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃,R_(a2), R_(a2)′, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbolsfor the above Formula (I)).

The Compound (XXVIII) used in this reaction can be exemplified byammonium chloride, methylamine, dimethylamine, and the like. TheCompound (XXVIII) is commercially available, or can be prepared by aknown method.

The condensation reaction used in this process can be conducted using acarboxylic acid of the Compound (1-1) or a reactive derivative thereof,and the Compound (XXVIII). The “reactive derivative” of the Compound(1-1) can be exemplified by a mixed acid anhydride, activated ester,activated amide, and the like; and they can be obtained in accordancewith the method described in the international publication ofWO98/05641. Specifically, for example, the condensation reaction can beconducted using the Compound (1-1) and the Compound (XXVIII) in asolvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide,N,N-dimethylformamide, 1,4-dioxane, dichloromethane, or chloroform,together with a condensation agent such as1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, and1-hydroxybenzotriazole. In this case, the Compound (XXVIII) is used inan amount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol; and thecondensation agent is used in an amount of 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to3 mol, relative to 1 mol of Compound (1-1). The reaction temperature isappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically fromroom temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used in thereaction. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (1-4) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography.

Also in the case where R₁ is CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′ (wherein R_(a4) andR_(a4)′ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),the relevant reaction can be carried out by the same method as used inProcess 28 above, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combination ofthe same with a commonly used method.

Among the compounds represented by the General Formula (I) (wherein R₁,R₁′, R₂, R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as defined in theabove) according to the invention, the compound of Formula (I-5)(wherein R₁ is NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′; R₂ is O or S; R₁′ is a hydrogen atom;R₃, R_(a3), R_(a3)′, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as thesymbols for the above Formula (I)) can be prepared by, for example, thefollowing method.

(Process 29) The present process is a method of converting thecarboxylic acid of the Compound (1-1) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, X₁, X₂,X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula(I)) obtained in the Process 10, into a amino group thereof, thereby toCompound (XXIX) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)).

The reaction used in this process is a method well-known to a personskilled in the art, for example, the Curtius rearrangement reaction(Tetrahedron (1974) Vol. 30, Page 2151). In the rearrangement reactionused in this process, specifically, for example, the Compound (XXIX) canbe synthesized by reacting the Compound (1-1) with diphenyl phosphoricazide in a solvent such as, for example, 1,4-dioxane, or toluene, in thepresence of a base such as, for example, triethylamine to produce anacyl azide, followed by heating, thereby to afford the Compound (XXIX).In this case, the base is used in an amount of from 1 to 10 mol,preferably 1 to 3 mol; and diphenyl phosphoric azide is used in anamount of 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol, relative to 1 mol ofcompound (1-1). The reaction temperature is appropriately selected by aperson skilled in the art in accordance with the starting compound orreaction solvent used, but it is typically from room temperature to theboiling point of the solvent used in the reaction. Also, the reaction istypically completed between 1 hour to 24 hours, but the reaction timecan be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXIX) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 30) The present process is a method of reacting the Compound(XXIX) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the samemeaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)) obtained in theProcess 29, with Compound (XXX) (wherein LG₈ is a leaving group such ashalogen atom, and R_(3a) has the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)), thereby to Compound (XXXI) (wherein R₂ is O or S;R₃, R_(a3), X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols forthe above Formula (I)).

The Compound (XXX) used in this process is, for example, methyl iodide,ethyl iodide, and the like. The Compound (XXX) is commerciallyavailable.

The reaction used in this process is a method well-known to a personskilled in the art. In the reaction used in this process, specifically,for example, the Compound (XXXI) can be synthesized by reacting theCompound (XXX) with a base such as, for example, potassium carbonate,cesium carbonate, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, or sodiumhydroxide, in a solvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran,1,4-dioxane, or N,N-dimethylformamide. In this case, the Compound (XXX)is used in an amount of from 0.5 to 10 mol, preferably 0.5 to 3 mol; andthe base is used in an amount of 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol,relative to 1 mol of compound (XXIX). The reaction temperature isappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically fromroom temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used in thereaction. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (XXXI) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography, or may besubjected to the next process without isolation and purification.

(Process 31) The present process is a method of subjecting the Compound(XXXI) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, R_(a3), X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have thesame meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)) obtained in theProcess 30, and Compound (XXXII) (wherein R_(a3)′ has the same meaningas the symbols for the above Formula (I)), to a condensation reaction,thereby to produce Compound (1-5) (wherein R₂ is O or S; R₃, R_(a3),R_(a3)′, X₁, X₂, X₃, and W have the same meaning as the symbols for theabove Formula (I)).

The Compound (XXXII) used in this process can be exemplified by aceticanhydride, propionic acid, butyric acid. The Compound (XXXII) iscommercially available, or can be produced by a known method.

The condensation reaction used in this process can be conducted usingthe Compound (XXXI), and the carboxylic acid of the Compound (XXXII) ora reactive derivative thereof. The reactive derivative of the Compound(XXXII) can be exemplified by a mixed acid anhydride, activated ester,activated amide, and the like. They can be obtained, for example, by themethod described in the international publication of WO98/05641.Specifically, for example, the condensation can be conducted using theCompound (XXXI) and the Compound (XXXII) in a solvent such as, forexample, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide,1,4-dioxane, dichloromethane, or chloroform, together with acondensation agent such as1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, and1-hydroxybenzotriazol. In this case, the Compound (XXXII) is used in anamount of from 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol; and the condensationagent is used in an amount of 1 to 10 mol, preferably 1 to 3 mol,relative to 1 mol of compound (XXXI). The reaction temperature isappropriately selected by a person skilled in the art in accordance withthe starting compound or reaction solvent used, but it is typically fromroom temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used in thereaction. Also, the reaction is typically completed between 1 hour to 24hours, but the reaction time can be appropriately extended or reduced.

The resulting Compound (1-5) is subjected to isolation and purificationby known separation and purification means such as, for example,concentration, concentration under reduced pressure, crystallization,solvent extraction, reprecipitation or chromatography.

Also in the case where R₁ is NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′, NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, orNR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′ (wherein R_(a5), R_(a5)′, R_(a6), R_(a6)′, R_(a8), andR_(a8)′ have the same meaning as the symbols for the above Formula (I)),the relevant reaction can be carried out by the same method as used inthe Process 30 above, or a method equivalent thereto, or a combinationof the same with a commonly used method.

Next, the Aurora A and Aurora B inhibitory actions of the compound ofGeneral Formula (I) according to the invention will be explained below.

Aurora A Inhibitory Activity

(1) Purification of Aurora A

cDNA of N-terminal His-tagged human Aurora A was integrated into anexpression vector, which was then highly expressed in Escherichia coliBL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL cells. The Escherichia coli was harvested andlysed, and then the His-tagged human Aurora A protein was applied onto anickel chelate column and eluted from the column with imidazole. Theactive fractions were desalted with a desalting column to give apurified enzyme.

(2) Measurement of activity of Aurora A

For measurement of the activity of Aurora A, the substrate used was asynthetic peptide (5-FAM-γ-aminobutyricacid-Ala-Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly-NH₂) (SEQ.ID.NO.: 1), which waspurchased from Toray Research Center, Inc. Please note that 5-FAM is5-carboxyfluorescein.

For the phosphorylation reaction, the method by Upstate, Inc. [KinaseProfiler™ Assay Protocols] was referred to, and phosphorylation of thesubstrate was detected using IMAP® technology (Molecular Devices, Co.Ltd.) (Gaudet E W. et. al, J. Biomol. Screen, 8, 164-175 (2003)).Concretely, the phosphorylation reaction and the detection were carriedout as follows:

The phosphorylation reaction was conducted using 384 well plate, and thereaction volume was 10 μl/well. The reaction buffer is comprised of 50mM Tris-chloride buffer (pH 7.4), 15 mM magnesium acetate, and 0.2 mMethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Thereto, the purifiedAurora A protein, 100 nM of the peptide substrate, and 20 μM ofadenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) were added, and then the reaction wascarried out at 30° C. for 120 minutes.

Thereafter, in order to terminate and detect the reaction, 30 μl of theIMAP (registered trademark) binding reagent (IMAP Progressive BindingReagent, R7284) that had been diluted (1:400) in the 1×IMAP bindingbuffer A (IMAP Progressive Binding Buffer A, 5× stock, R7282) was addedto each well. The solution stood still for 60 minutes in the dark, andthen fluorescence polarization was measured using a high-end microplatereader (excitation wavelength: 485 nm; emission wavelength: 520 nm).

The compound to be tested was added to the reaction system such that adilution series of the compound in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) wasprepared, and then 0.5 μL of this solution was added for the testing toeach well. Each control well was provided by adding 0.5 μL of DMSO tothe well in place of the DMSO solution containing the compound to betested.

Aurora B Inhibitory Activity

(1) Measurement of Activity of Aurora B (Method A)

An assay development kit for IMAP (registered trademark) (Aurora B),purchased from Carna Biosciences, Inc., was used for phosphorylationreaction, and the phosphorylation of a substrate was detected using theIMAP technology. The assay development kit used is comprised of an assaybuffer, GST-tagged human Aurora B(AurB)/His-tagged human INCENP complexproteins (amino acid sequence: 803-916, AAU04398.1), and anATP/substrate solution. Using the same, the phosphorylation reaction wasconducted in accordance with a partially revised protocol attached tothe kit, and then the phosphorylation of the substrate was detectedusing the IMAP technology.

For the phosphorylation reaction, 384 well plate was used, and thereaction volume was 10 μl/well. The composition of the reaction buffer(assay buffer) is comprised of 20 mM of HEPES buffer (pH 7.4), 0.01%Tween-20, and 2 mM of dithiothreitol (DTT). Thereto, AurB/INCENP complexprotein, 100 nM of the substrate, and 40 μM of ATP, and 1 mM ofmagnesium salt were added, and then the reaction was conducted at 25° C.for 45 minutes. Thereafter, in order to terminate and detect thereaction, 30 μl of the IMAP (registered trademark) binding reagent (IMAPProgressive Binding Reagent, R7284) that had been diluted (1:400) in the1× IMAP binding buffer A (IMAP Progressive Binding Buffer A, 5× stock,R7282) was added to each well. The solution stood still for 60 minutesin the dark, and then fluorescence polarization was measured using ahigh-end microplate reader (excitation wavelength: 485 nm; emissionwavelength: 520 nm).

The compound to be tested was added to the reaction system such that adilution series of the compound in DMSO was prepared, and then 0.5 μL ofthis solution was added for the testing to each well. Each control wellwas provided by adding 0.5 μL of DMSO to the well in place of the DMSOsolution containing the compound to be tested.

(2) Measurement of activity of Aurora B (Method B)

(a) Purification of Aurora B

cDNA of human Aurora B having histidine tag fused at the amino terminalwas integrated into an expression vector, which was then highlyexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIL cells. TheEscherichia coli cells were recovered and solubilized, and then thehistidine-tagged Aurora A protein was adsorbed onto a nickel chelatecolumn and eluted from the column with imidazole. The active fractionwas desalted with a desalting column to give a pure enzyme.

(b) Measurement of Activity of Aurora B

For measurement of the activity of Aurora B, the substrate used wasKemptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) (SEQ.ID.NO.: 2), a syntheticpeptide purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Inc. [Certificate of analysis(Upstate, Inc.)].

Reaction was conducted by a partial modification of the method ofactivity measurement for Aurora A. The amount of the reaction liquid was21.1 μL, and the composition of the reaction buffer (R₂ buffer) was 50mM Tris-hydrochloride buffer (pH 7.4)/15 mM magnesium acetate/0.2 mMethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). To this, purifiedAurora B, 100 μM of a substrate peptide, 100 μM of unlabeled adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) and 1 μCi of [γ-³³P] labeled ATP (2,500 Ci/mmole ormore) were added, and the mixture was reacted at 30° C. for 20 minutes.Then, 10 μL of 350 mM phosphate buffer was added to the reaction systemto stop the reaction. The substrate peptide was adsorbed on a P81 paperfilter 96-well plate and then washed with 130 mM phosphate buffer forseveral times. The radiation activity of the peptide was measured with aliquid scintillation counter. The [γ-³³P] labeled ATP was purchased fromAmersham Biosciences Co., Ltd.

The compound to be tested was added to the reaction system such that adilution series of the compound in dimethylsulfoxide was first prepared,and 1.1 μL of this solution was added. A control was provided by adding1.1 μL of DMSO to the reaction system.

Using the above method (in the measurement of activity of Aurora B,Method A was used), the results for measurement of the activities ofAurora A and Aurora B were obtained as shown in Table 1. The compoundaccording to the invention exhibited excellent Aurora A selectiveinhibitory activity. Similar results are obtained when Method B is usedin the measurement of activity of Aurora B.

TABLE 1 Inhibitory activity Inhibitory activity for Aurora A (IC₅₀, forAurora B (IC₅₀, Example nM) nM) Example 1 0.07 25 Example 3 0.12 59Example 4 0.11 32 Example 5 0.12 130 Example 6 0.07 37 Example 7 0.17130 Example 8 0.54 150 Example 9 0.16 190 Example 10 0.15 200 Example 111.8 750 Example 12 2.5 >1000 Example 13 1.3 >1000 Example 15 2.0 870Example 16 1.6 >1000 Example 17 0.45 350 Example 18 0.49 200 Example 190.82 320 Example 20 1.0 660 Example 21 2.8 >1000 Example 22 4.1 >1000Example 23 0.39 490 Example 24 0.12 130 Example 25 0.87 690 Example 261.4 800 Example 27 2.4 220 Example 28 3.5 710 Example 29 0.19 670Example 30 0.08 39 Example 31 0.19 53 Example 32 0.15 70 Example 33 0.13210 Example 34 0.47 690 Example 35 0.31 120 Example 36 0.43 370 Example40 0.09 95 Example 41 0.18 110 Example 42 0.23 142

Next, the cell growth suppressive action of the compound of the GeneralFormula (I) according to the invention will be explained below.

Method for Judging the Pharmaceutical Effect Using Cells

a) Reagent

Fetal calf serum (FCS) was purchased from Moregate Biotech, and DMEMmedium was purchased from Invitrogen Corp. WST-8 was purchased fromKishida Chemical Co., Ltd.

b) Cells

Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa S3) were obtained from the AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC).

c) Method of Judging the Effect

Cells were suspended in a DMEM medium containing 10% FCS, and the cellsuspension was dispensed to a 96-well plastic plate at a rate of 750cells/100 microliters per well. The plate was incubated overnight in 5%CO₂-95% air at 37° C. A drug was subjected to graded dilution indimethylsulfoxide and further diluted with a DMEM medium containing 10%FCS. Then, the dilution was dispensed to the plate on which cells hadbeen disseminated in advance, at a rate of 100 microliters per well. Theplate was incubated for further three days in 5% CO₂-95% air at 37° C.Cell growth after incubation was measured by the WST-8 method (H.Tominaga, et al., Anal. Commun., 36, 47-50 (1999)). Here, the WST-8method refers to a method in which 20 microliters of a WST-8 reagentsolution is added to each well, incubation is conducted at 37° C. for 60minutes, the plate is stirred, and the amount of formazan produced ismeasured by a calorimetric method to determine the inhibitory rate ofthe drug. The concentration for 50% growth inhibition (IC₅₀, μM) of thecompound was determined.

As shown in Table 2, the compound according to the invention exhibitedexcellent cell growth inhibitory effect against human-derived cancercells (HeLa S3).

TABLE 2 Cell growth inhibitory effect (HeLaS3) (IC50, μM) Example 1 1.97Example 3 3.95 Example 4 0.83 Example 6 1.93 Example 8 1.26 Example 92.21 Example 11 2.80 Example 15 1.76 Example 18 0.90 Example 20 0.90Example 23 0.76 Example 24 1.15 Example 26 3.30 Example 29 0.67 Example30 0.34 Example 31 5.89 Example 32 0.59 Example 33 2.22 Example 34 0.87Example 35 0.22 Example 36 1.13

Method for Judging the Effect by Combined Use of Drugs in Cells

a) Reagent

Fetal calf serum (FCS) was purchased from Moregate Biotech, DMEM mediumfrom Invitrogen Corp., docetaxel (tradename: Taxere) from Sigma-Aldrich,Inc., and WST-8 from Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.

b) Cells

Human cervical cancer cells (HeLa S3) were obtained from the AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC).

c) Method of Judging the Effect

Cells were suspended in a DMEM medium containing 10% FCS, and the cellsuspension was dispensed to two 96-well plastic plates at a rate of 750cells/100 microliters per well. The plates were incubated overnight in5% CO₂-95% air at 37° C. A drug was subjected to graded dilution indimethylsulfoxide and further diluted with DMSO or with a DMEM mediumcontaining 10% FCS and also containing 0.6 nM docetaxel. Then, thedilutions were each dispensed to one of the plates on which cells hadbeen disseminated in advance, at a rate of 100 microliters per well. Thefinal concentration of docetaxel at this stage was 0.3 nM. Also, theconcentrations in the case of sole administration of the compoundaccording to the invention were 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 10μM. The plates were incubated for further three days in 5% CO₂-95% airat 37° C. Cell growth after incubation was measured by the WST-8 method(H. Tominaga, et al., Anal. Commun., 36, 47-50 (1999)). Here, the WST-8method refers to a method in which 20 microliters of a WST-8 reagentsolution is added to each well, incubation is conducted at 37° C. for 60minutes, the plate is stirred, and the amount of formazan produced ismeasured by a colorimetric method to determine the inhibitory rate ofthe drug. The growth inhibitory effects of docetaxel and of the compoundaccording to the invention were determined, with the value obtained insole treatment of DMSO being defined as 0%.

The compound according to the invention exhibited excellent cell growthinhibitory effect as well as a synergistic action with a taxane-typeanti-tumor agent such as docetaxel against human-derived cancer cells(HeLa S3), as shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Cell growth inhibitory Cell growth inhibitory Cell growthinhibitory effect by combined effect by sole Conc. of the effect by soleadministration of administration of compound of administration of thedocetaxel and the Example docetaxel (0.3 nM) (%) Example (μM) compoundof Example (%) compound of Example (%) Example 1 25.6 0.3 4.4 84.7Example 3 53.4 0.3 5.4 74.1 1.0 26.9 90.4 Example 4 52.1 0.3 22.9 88.61.0 52.9 93.8 Example 6 52.1 0.3 7.2 70.0 1.0 25.6 87.0 Example 8 53.40.3 12.2 84.6 1.0 49.0 95.0 Example 9 53.4 1.0 37.1 91.8 3.0 59.0 95.0Example 11 53.4 0.3 15.1 72.1 1.0 25.4 84.5 Example 15 53.4 0.3 17.076.4 1.0 42.4 90.8 Example 18 52.1 0.1 7.4 61.5 0.3 21.3 77.4 Example 2052.1 0.3 25.9 85.0 1.0 49.8 94.4 Example 23 49.6 0.1 3.7 71.5 0.3 36.087.4 Example 24 49.6 0.1 0.5 72.8 0.3 25.4 87.8 Example 26 49.6 0.3 11.867.3 1.0 18.2 88.5 Example 29 49.6 0.1 11.3 79.0 0.3 39.9 92.9 Example30 52.1 0.1 28.3 81.2 0.3 53.4 92.0 Example 31 48.9 1.0 1.0 75.1 3.038.5 89.0 Example 32 48.9 0.1 6.3 88.6 0.3 40.8 94.0 Example 33 48.9 0.30.3 75.5 1.0 23.4 91.3 Example 34 48.9 0.1 3.9 83.8 0.3 40.8 93.9Example 35 48.9 0.03 25.1 78.0 0.1 42.7 89.9 Example 36 49.6 0.1 2.676.8 0.3 32.0 88.9

From the above, the compound according to the invention is believed tobe useful as an antitumor agent since it exhibits not only excellentcell growth inhibitory action based on Aurora A selective inhibitoryactivity, but also a synergistic action in combined use with otherantitumor agent. Thus, it is believed that a pharmaceutical compositionor Aurora A selective inhibitor containing the novel aminopyridinederivative according to the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt or ester thereof, or an antitumor agent containing the compoundaccording to the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orester thereof is effective in the treatment of cancer patients.

The above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition and inhibitor, and theabove-mentioned antitumor agent may contain a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent. Here, the “pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier or diluent” refers to excipients [e.g., fats, beeswax,semi-solid and liquid polyols, natural or hydrogenated oils, etc.];water (e.g., distilled water, particularly distilled water forinjection, etc.), physiological saline, alcohol (e.g., ethanol),glycerol, polyols, aqueous glucose solution, mannitol, plant oils,etc.); additives [e.g., extending agent, disintegrating agent, binder,lubricant, wetting agent, stabilizer, emulsifier, dispersant,preservative, sweetener, colorant, seasoning agent or aromatizer,concentrating agent, diluent, buffer substance, solvent or solubilizingagent, chemical for achieving storage effect, salt for modifying osmoticpressure, coating agent or antioxidant], and the like.

A suitable tumor for which the therapeutic effect of the compoundaccording to the invention is expected may be exemplified by human solidcancer. Examples of human solid cancer include brain cancer, head andneck cancer, esophageal cancer, thyroid cancer, small cell carcinoma,non-small cell carcinoma, breast cancer, stomach cancer, gallbladder andbile duct cancer, liver cancer, pancreas cancer, colon cancer, rectalcancer, ovarian cancer, chorioepithelioma, uterine cancer, cervicalcancer, renal pelvic and ureteral cancer, bladder cancer, prostatecancer, penile cancer, testicular cancer, embryonal cancer, Wilms'tumor, skin cancer, malignant melanoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma,Ewing's tumor, soft tissue sarcoma, and the like.

Next, the above-described “pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester”will be explained below.

When the compound according to the invention is used as an antitumoragent or the like, it may be also used in a form of pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt. Typical examples of the pharmaceutically acceptablesalt include a salt with an alkali metal such as sodium and potassium; asalt with an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate,phosphate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, and perchlorate; a salt withan organic acid, such as acetate, propionate, lactate, maleate,fumarate, tartrate, malate, citrate, and ascorbate; a salt with sulfonicacid, such as methanesulfonate, isethionate, benzenesulfonate, andtoluenesulfonate; a salt with acidic amino acid, such as aspartate andglutamate; and the like. A pharmaceutically acceptable salt of theCompound (I) is preferably a salt with an inorganic acid, such ashydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, and perchlorate; more preferably hydrochloride.

The process for preparation of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of thecompound according to the invention may be carried out by an appropriatecombination of those methods that are conventionally used in the fieldof organic synthetic chemistry. A specific example thereof is a methodin which a solution of the compound according to the invention in itsfree form is subjected to neutralization titration with an alkalinesolution or an acidic solution.

Examples of the ester of the compound according to the invention includemethyl ester and ethyl ester. Such esters can be prepared byesterification of a free carboxyl group according to a conventionalmethod.

With regard to each preparation of the combined preparation according tothe invention, various preparation forms can be selected, and examplesthereof include oral preparations such as tablets, capsules, powders,granules or liquids, or sterilized liquid parenteral preparations suchas solutions or suspensions, suppositories, ointments and the like.

Solid preparations can be prepared in the forms of tablet, capsule,granule and powder without any additives, or prepared using appropriatecarriers (additives). Examples of such carriers (additives) may includesaccharides such as lactose or glucose; starch of corn, wheat or rice;fatty acids such as stearic acid; inorganic salts such as magnesiummetasilicate aluminate or anhydrous calcium phosphate; syntheticpolymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyalkylene glycol; alcoholssuch as stearyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol; synthetic cellulosederivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose,ethylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; and other conventionallyused additives such as gelatin, talc, plant oil and gum arabic.

These solid preparations such as tablets, capsules, granules and powdersmay generally contain, for example, 0.1 to 100% by weight, andpreferably 5 to 98% by weight, of the compound of the above Formula (I)as an active ingredient, based on the total weight of the preparation.

Liquid preparations are produced in the forms of suspension, syrup,injection and drip infusion (intravenous fluid) using appropriateadditives that are conventionally used in liquid preparations, such aswater, alcohol or a plant-derived oil such as soybean oil, peanut oiland sesame oil.

In particular, when the preparation is administered parenterally in aform of intramuscular injection, intravenous injection or subcutaneousinjection, appropriate solvent or diluent may be exemplified bydistilled water for injection, an aqueous solution of lidocainehydrochloride (for intramuscular injection), physiological saline,aqueous glucose solution, ethanol, polyethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, liquid for intravenous injection (e.g., an aqueous solution ofcitric acid, sodium citrate and the like) or an electrolytic solution(for intravenous drip infusion and intravenous injection), or a mixedsolution thereof.

Such injection may be in a form of a preliminarily dissolved solution,or in a form of powder per se or powder associated with a suitablecarrier (additive) which is dissolved at the time of use. The injectionliquid may contain, for example, 0.1 to 10% by weight of an activeingredient based on the total weight of the preparation.

Liquid preparations such as suspension or syrup for oral administrationmay contain, for example, 0.1 to 10% by weight of an active ingredientbased on the total weight of the preparation.

Each preparation of the combined preparation according to the inventioncan be prepared by a person having ordinary skill in the art accordingto conventional methods or common techniques. For example, a preparationcontaining another antitumor agent that is used in combination with thecompound represented by the above General Formula (I), can be prepared,if the preparation is an oral preparation, for example, by mixing anappropriate amount of the antitumor agent with an appropriate amount oflactose and filling this mixture into hard gelatin capsules which aresuitable for oral administration. On the other hand, preparation can becarried out, if the preparation containing the antitumor agent is aninjection, for example, by mixing an appropriate amount of the antitumoragent with an appropriate amount of 0.9% physiological saline andfilling this mixture in vials for injection.

Also, in the case of a combination preparation containing the compoundrepresented by the above General Formula (I) according to the inventionand another antitumor agent, a person having ordinary skill in the artcan easily prepare the preparation according to conventional methods orcommon techniques.

In the process according to the invention, preferred therapeutic unitmay vary in accordance with, for example, the administration route ofthe compound represented by the General Formula (I), the type of thecompound represented by the General Formula (I) used, and the dosageform of the compound represented by the General Formula (I) used; thetype, administration route and dosage form of the other antitumor agentused in combination; and the type of cells to be treated, the conditionof patient, and the like. The optimal treatment under the givenconditions can be determined by a person skilled in the art, based onthe set conventional therapeutic unit and/or based on the content of thepresent specification.

In the process according to the invention, the therapeutic unit for thecompound represented by the above General Formula (I) may vary inaccordance with, specifically, the type of compound used, the type ofcompounded composition, application frequency and the specific site tobe treated, seriousness of the disease, age of the patient, doctor'sdiagnosis, the type of cancer, or the like. However, as an exemplaryreference, the daily dose for an adult may be within a range of, forexample, 1 to 1,000 mg in the case of oral administration. In the caseof parenteral administration, preferably intravenous administration, andmore preferably intravenous drip infusion, the daily dose may be withina range of, for example, 1 to 100 mg/m² (body surface area). Here, inthe case of intravenous drip infusion, administration may becontinuously carried out for, for example, 1 to 48 hours. Moreover, theadministration frequency may vary depending on the administering methodand symptoms, but it is, for example, once to five times a day.Alternatively, periodically intermittent administration such asadministration every other day, administration every two days or thelike may be employed as well in the administering method. The period ofwithdraw from medication in the case of parenteral administration is,for example, 1 to 6 weeks.

Although the therapeutic unit for the other antitumor agent used incombination with the compound represented by the General Formula (I) isnot particularly limited, it can be determined, if needed, by thoseskilled in the art according to known literatures. Examples may be asfollows.

The therapeutic unit of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is such that, in the caseof oral administration, for example, 200 to 300 mg per day isadministered in once to three times consecutively, and in the case ofinjection, for example, 5 to 15 mg/kg per day is administered once a dayfor the first 5 consecutive days by intravenous injection or intravenousdrip infusion, and then 5 to 7.5 mg/kg is administered once a day everyother day by intravenous injection or intravenous drip infusion (thedose may be appropriately increased or decreased).

The therapeutic unit of S-1 (Tegafur, Gimestat and Ostat potassium) issuch that, for example, the initial dose (singe dose) is set to thefollowing standard amount in accordance with the body surface area, andit is orally administered twice a day, after breakfast and after dinner,for 28 consecutive days, followed by withdrawal from medication for 14days. This is set as one course of administration, which is repeated.The initial standard amount per unit body surface area (Tegafurequivalent) is 40 mg in one administration for an area less than 1.25m²; 50 mg in one administration for an area of 1.25 m² to less than 1.5m²; 60 mg in one administration for an area of 1.5 m² or more. This doseis appropriately increased or decreased depending on the condition ofthe patient.

The therapeutic unit for gemcitabine is, for example, 1 g asgemcitabine/m² in one administration, which is administered byintravenous drip infusion over a period of 30 minutes, and oneadministration per week is continued for 3 weeks, followed by withdrawalfrom medication on the fourth week. This is set as one course ofadministration, which is repeated. The dose is appropriately decreasedin accordance with age, symptom or development of side-effects.

The therapeutic unit for doxorubicin (e.g., doxorubicin hydrochloride)is such that, for example, in the case of intravenous injection, 10 mg(0.2 mg/kg) (titer) is administered once a day by intravenous one-shotadministration for 4 to 6 consecutive days, followed by withdrawal frommedication for 7 to 10 days. This is set as one course ofadministration, which is repeated two or three times. Here, the totaldose is preferably 500 mg (titer)/m² (body surface area) or less, and itmay be appropriately increased or decreased within the range.

The therapeutic unit for etoposide is such that, for example, in thecase of intravenous injection, 60 to 100 mg/m² (body surface area) perday is administered for 5 consecutive days, followed by withdrawal frommedication for three weeks (the dose may be appropriately increased ordecreased). This is set as one course of administration, which isrepeated. Meanwhile, in the case of oral administration, for example,175 to 200 mg per day is administered for 5 consecutive days, followedby withdrawal from medication for three weeks (the dose may beappropriately increased or decreased). This is set as one course ofadministration, which is repeated.

The therapeutic unit for docetaxel (docetaxel hydrate) is such that, forexample, 60 mg as docetaxel/m² (body surface area) is administered oncea day by intravenous drip infusion over a period of 1 hour or longer atan interval of 3 to 4 weeks (the dose may be appropriately increased ordecreased).

The therapeutic unit of paclitaxel is such that, for example, 210 mg/m²(body surface area) is administered once a day by intravenous dripinfusion over a period of 3 hours, followed by withdrawal frommedication for at least 3 weeks. This is set as one course ofadministration, which is repeated. The dose may be appropriatelyincreased or decreased.

The therapeutic unit for cisplatin is such that, for example, in thecase of intravenous injection, 50 to 70 mg/m² (body surface area) isadministered once a day, followed by withdrawal from medication for 3weeks or longer (the dose may be appropriately increased or decreased).This is set as one course of administration, which is repeated.

The therapeutic unit for carboplatin is such that, for example, 300 to400 mg/m² is administered once a day by intravenous drip infusion over aperiod of 30 minutes or longer, followed by withdrawal from medicationfor at least 4 weeks (the dose may be appropriately increased ordecreased). This is set as one course of administration, which isrepeated.

The therapeutic unit for oxaliplatin is such that 85 mg/m² isadministered once a day by intravenous injection, followed by withdrawalfrom medication for two weeks. This is set as one course ofadministration, which is repeated.

The therapeutic unit for irinotecan (e.g., irinotecan hydrochloride) issuch that, for example, 100 mg/m² is administered once a day byintravenous drip infusion for 3 or 4 times at an interval of one week,followed by withdrawal from medication for at least two weeks.

The therapeutic unit for topotecan is such that, for example, 1.5 mg/m²is administered once a day by intravenous drip infusion for 5 days,followed by withdrawal from medication for at least 3 weeks.

The therapeutic unit for cyclophosphamide is such that, for example, inthe case of intravenous injection, 100 mg is administered once a day byintravenous injection for consecutive days. If the patient can tolerate,the daily dose may be increased to 200 mg. The total dose is 3,000 to8,000 mg, which may be appropriately increased or decreased. Ifnecessary, it may be injected or infused intramuscularly,intrathoracically or intratumorally. On the other hand, in the case oforal administration, for example, 100 to 200 mg is administered a day.

The therapeutic unit for gefitinib is such that 250 mg is orallyadministered once a day.

The therapeutic unit for cetuximab is such that, for example, 400 mg/m²is administered on the first day by intravenous drip infusion, and then250 mg/m² is administered every week by intravenous drip infusion.

The therapeutic unit for bevacizumab is such that, for example, 3 mg/kgis administered every week by intravenous drip infusion.

The therapeutic unit for trastuzumab is such that, for example,typically for an adult, once a day, 4 mg as trastuzumab/kg (body weight)is administered initially, followed by intravenous drip infusion of 2mg/kg over a period of 90 minutes or longer every week from the secondadministration.

The therapeutic unit for exemestane is such that, for example, typicallyfor an adult, 25 mg is orally administered once a day after meal.

The therapeutic unit for leuprorelin (e.g., leuprorelin acetate) is suchthat, for example, typically for an adult, 11.25 mg is subcutaneouslyadministered once in 12 weeks.

The therapeutic unit for imatinib is such that, for example, typicallyfor an adult in the chronic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia, 400mg is orally administered once a day after meal.

The therapeutic unit for a combination of 5-FU and leucovorin is suchthat, for example, 425 mg/m² of 5-FU and 200 mg/m² of leucovorin areadministered from the first day to the fifth day by intravenous dripinfusion, and this course is repeated at an interval of 4 weeks.

The therapeutic unit for sorafenib is such that, for example, 200 mg isorally administered twice a day (400 mg per day) at least 1 hour beforeor 2 hours after eating.

The therapeutic unit for sunitinib is such that, for example, 50 mg isorally administered once a day for four weeks, followed by 2 weeks off.

WORKING EXAMPLES

In a thin-layer chromatography of Examples and Referential Examples,Silica gel₆₀F₂₅₄ (Merck) was used as a plate and a UV detector was usedas a detecting method. As silica gel for the column, Biotage FLASHcolumn (SI, NH) was used. In a reversed phase preparative liquidchromatography, XBridge Prep C18 (Waters) was used as a column and a0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid solution and a 0.1% solution oftrifluoroacetic acid in acetonitrile were used in a mobile phase. MSspectra were measured using Waters micromass ZQ2000 (ESI, ESCi). NMRspectra were measured using a spectrometer in the type of JEOL JNM-AL400(400 MHz) or Varian MERCURY400 (400 MHz) and all δ values arerepresented in ppm. Melting points were measured under a 1° C./min raisecondition using a combination of Mettler Toledo FP82HT Hot Stage andNIKON Eclipse E600 POL.

Meanings of abbreviations are as follows.

-   s: singlet-   d: doublet-   dd: double doublet-   t: triplet-   dt: double triplet-   q: quartet-   qui: quintet-   m: multiplet-   br: broad-   J: coupling constant-   Hz: Hertz-   DMSO-d₆: dimethylsulfoxide-d₆-   TBS: tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl group-   MOM: methoxymethyl group-   TBDPS: tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl group-   TsOH: p-toluenesulfonic acid-   SEM: (2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl group

Example 1 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

(1) Synthesis of2-bromo-6-(((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)methyl)pyridine

To a solution of 10 g of (6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)methanol in 50 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamide were successively added 4 g of imidazole and 8.4 gof tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride at room temperature, followed bystirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 2 hours. Afteradding water to the reaction mixture, the mixture was extracted withn-hexane. The resulting hexane solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuoto give the title compound as colorless oil.

(2) Synthesis of6-(((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)methyl)-N-((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)pyridin-2-amine

A mixture of 15.92 g of2-bromo-6-(((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)methyl)pyridine, 5.53 g of2-aminothiazole, 3.04 g of9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene, 2.72 g oftris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform complex, 18.86 g ofcesium carbonate and 100 ml of toluene was stirred at 120° C. overnight,followed by cooling down to room temperature and an insoluble matter wasfiltered off using Celite. The resulting toluene solution was washedwith water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfateand filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the crudeproduct.

The resulting crude product was suspended in 100 ml of chloroform, andthen, under cooling with ice, 13.7 ml of N,N-diisopropylethylamine and4.8 ml of chloromethylmethylether were added successively, followed bystirring the reaction mixture at room temperature overnight. Thechloroform was removed in vacuo and water was added to the residue,followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The resulting ethyl acetatesolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. Thefiltrate was concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was purified bya silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethylacetate=5/1) to give the title compound as a pale yellow solid.

(3) Synthesis of(6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methanol

To a solution of 14.28 g of6-(((tert-butyl(dimethyl)silyl)oxy)methyl)-N-((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)pyridin-2-aminein 30 ml of chloroform and 30 ml of methanol was added 30 ml oftrifluoroacetic acid under cooling with ice, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture wasevaporated in vacuo. The resulting residue was neutralized withsaturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethylacetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo.The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1) to give the title compoundas a pale yellow solid.

(4) Synthesis of6-(bromomethyl)-N-((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)pyridin-2-amine

To a solution of 4.43 g of(6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methanolin 40 ml of tetrahydrofuran were successively added 3.2 ml oftriethylamine and 1.5 ml of methanesulfonyl chloride under cooling withice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 1hour. 0.74 ml of triethylamine and 0.27 ml of methanesulfonyl chloridewere successively added at room temperature, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature for 1 hour. A precipitate wasfiltered off and washed with tetrahydrofuran, and then the filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo. To a solution of the resulting residue in 30 mlof N,N-dimethylformamide was added 4.58 g of lithium bromide undercooling with ice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature overnight. To the reaction mixture was added water andextracted with ethyl acetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution wassuccessively washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theresulting residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: chloroform to chloroform/ethyl acetate=10/1) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow solid.

(5) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 3.8 ml of diisopropylamine in tetrahydrofuran was added17.3 ml of a hexane solution containing 1.58M n-butyl lithium undercooling with ice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture for 30minutes. After cooling down to −78° C., 12 g of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate as obtained inReference 1 in 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added to the solution, andthe resultant solution was stirred for 2 hours at −78° C. To thereaction mixture were added a solution of 2.87 g of6-(bromomethyl)-N-((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)pyridin-2-amineand 7.9 ml of hexamethylphosphoramide in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran,followed by gradually warming up the reaction mixture to roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. To the reaction mixture was added saturated aqueous ammoniumchloride solution, followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate layer was washed with brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered. The filtrate was concentrated invacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1-4/1) to givethe title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(6) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-4-hydroxy-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 5.56 g of tert-butylcis-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 49.6 ml of 1 M tetrabutylammoniumfluoride in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature, followed by stirringthe reaction mixture at 60° C. overnight. The reaction mixture wascooled to room temperature, followed by dilution with ethyl acetate. Theresulting solution was successively washed with a pH 6.8 phosphatebuffer solution and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate,filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residuewas purified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane tohexane/ethyl acetate=1/2) to give the title compound as a pale yellowoil.

(7) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution mixture of 4.34 g of tert-butylcis-4-hydroxy-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate,2.93 g of 3-chloro-2-fluorophenol and 5.24 g of triphenylphosphine in 70ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 3.94 ml of diisopropyl azodicarboxylateunder cooling with ice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture atroom temperature for 1 hour. To the reaction mixture was added water andextracted with ethyl acetate. The resulting ethyl acetate layer waswashed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered.The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue waspurified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane tohexane/ethyl acetate=3/1) to give the title compound as a pale yellowoil.

(8) Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

To a 3.9 g of tert-butyltrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylatewas added 100 ml of 4 M hydrogen chloride in 1,4-dioxane, followed bystirring the reaction mixture at 90° C. for 5 hours. After cooling thereaction mixture to room temperature, 100 ml of tert-butylmethyletherwas added to the mixture. The resulting precipitate was collected byfiltration and washed with tert-butylmethylether to give a colorlesssolid.

The resulting colorless solid was dissolved in 1.2 l of ethanol at 80°C. The ethanol was distilled away to reduce to about one-third of thesolution volume. The resulting solution was cooled to room temperature,followed by stirring at room temperature overnight. The resulting solidwas collected by filtration and washed with cooled ethanol to obtain thetitle compound as a colorless crystal.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.60-1.92 (8H, m), 3.03 (2H, s), 4.62 (1H, brs),6.90 (1H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 7.05-7.22 (5H, m), 7.53 (1H, d, J=4.1 Hz), 7.74(1H, t, J=7.8 Hz).

mass: 462,464 (M+1)⁺

Example 2 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid

[Method A]

To a 47.9 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride as obtained in Example 1 were successively added 4 mlof water and 4 ml of ethanol, followed by stirring the reaction mixtureat room temperature for 12 hours. The resulting precipitate wascollected by filtration and washed with water to give the title compoundas a colorless needle (mp: 202-222° C.).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.60-1.92 (8H, m), 2.98 (2H, s), 4.61 (1H, brs),6.71 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=3.5 Hz),7.10-7.22 (3H, m), 7.38 (1H, d, J=3.5 Hz), 7.60 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz).

mass: 462,464 (M+1)⁺

[Method B]

To 460 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride as obtained in Example 1 were successively added 40ml of water and 40 ml of ethanol, followed by stirring the reactionmixture at room temperature for 4 days. The resulting precipitate wascollected by filtration and washed with water to give the title compoundas a colorless plate (mp: 224-242° C.).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.60-1.92 (8H, m), 2.98 (2H, s), 4.61 (1H, brs),6.71 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=8.2 Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=3.5 Hz),7.10-7.22 (3H, m), 7.38 (1H, d, J=3.5 Hz), 7.60 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz).

mass: 462,464 (M+1)⁺

Example 3 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2,3-difluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using 2,3-difluorophenol, instead of3-chloro-2-fluorophenol as used in the step of Example 1(7).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.60-1.92 (8H, m), 3.02 (2H, s), 4.62 (1H, brs),6.84 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 6.97-7.15 (5H, m), 7.49 (1H, d, J=3.7 Hz), 7.70(1H, t, J=7.8 Hz).

mass: 446 (M+1)⁺

Example 4 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol, instead of3-chloro-2-fluorophenol as used in the step of Example 1(7).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.62-1.95 (8H, m), 3.03 (2H, s), 4.68 (1H, brs),6.89 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.15 (1H, d, J=3.7H z),7.28-7.35 (2H, m), 7.52 (1H, d, J=3.7 Hz), 7.56 (1H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.73(1H, t, J=7.8 Hz).

mass: 496 (M+1)⁺

Example 5 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using 3-chlorophenol, instead of 3-chloro-2-fluorophenol asused in the step of Example 1(7).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.71-1.87 (4H, m), 1.95-2.13 (4H, m), 3.12 (2H, brs),4.54 (1H, brs), 6.45 (1H, brs), 6.80-7.01 (5H, m), 7.17-7.25 (2H, m),7.65 (1H, t, J=7.8 Hz).

mass: 444,446 (M+1)+

Example 6 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using 2,3-dichlorophenol instead of 3-chloro-2-fluorophenolas used in the step of Example 1(7).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.51-1.66 (2H, m), 1.69-1.89 (6H, m), 2.97 (2H, s),4.72 (1H, brs), 6.75-6.85 (1H, m), 6.95-7.10 (2H, m), 7.10-7.16 (2H, m),7.25 (1H, t, J=8.2 Hz), 7.42-7.49 (1H, m), 7.62-7.72 (1H, m).

mass: 478,480 (M+1)⁺

Example 7 Synthesis oftrans-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol instead of3-chloro-2-fluorophenol as used in the step of Example 1(7).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.72-1.90 (4H, m), 1.91-2.04 (4H, m), 3.18 (2H, s),4.60-4.66 (1H, m), 7.09-7.16 (3H, m), 7.16-7.22 (2H, m), 7.27 (1H, d,J=4.3 Hz), 7.45 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J=4.3 Hz), 7.87 (1H, t,J=7.9 Hz).

mass: 478 (M+1)⁺

Example 8 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

To a solution of 20 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride as obtained in Example 1 in 3 ml of chloroform weresuccessively added 21 mg of ammonium chloride, 0.056 ml oftriethylamine, 31 mg of hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and 38 mg of1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride at roomtemperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature overnight. After adding saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonatesolution to the reaction mixture, the mixture was extracted with ethylacetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo.The obtained residue was purified by a preparative thin-layerchromatography (Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄, Art5744 (Merck),chloroform/methanol=10/1) to give the title compound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.63-1.93 (8H, m), 2.92 (2H, s), 4.55 (1H, brs),6.68 (1H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 6.85 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=3.1H z),7.05-7.20 (3H, m), 7.25 (1H, s), 7.35 (1H, d, J=3.5 Hz), 7.55 (1H, t,J=7.8 Hz), 11.13 (1H, s).

mass: 461,463 (M+1)⁺

Example 9 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis of 2-bromo-6-(bromomethyl)pyridine

To a solution of 498 mg of (6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)methanol in 6 ml ofN,N-dimethylformamide were successively added 1.15 ml ofdiisopropylethylamine and a solution of 695 mg of methanesulfonicanhydride in 2 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide under cooling with ice,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 20minutes. Then 693 mg of lithium bromide was added to the solution,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 1hour. After adding saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution to thereaction mixture, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theresulting residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1-3/2) to give the title compound as apale yellow solid.

(2) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 0.82 ml of diisopropylamine in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuranwas added 3.7 ml of a hexane solution containing 1.58M n-butyl lithiumunder cooling with ice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture for 30minutes. After cooling down the reaction mixture to −78° C., a solutionof 2.67 g of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate as obtained inReference 1 in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added to the solution, andthe resultant solution was stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. To the reactionmixture were added a solution of 980 mg of2-bromo-6-(bromomethyl)pyridine and 2.7 ml of hexamethylphosphoramide in5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, followed by gradually warming up the reactionmixture to room temperature, and then the reaction mixture was stirredat room temperature overnight. To the reaction mixture was addedsaturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution, followed by extractionwith chloroform. The resulting chloroform solution was dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedin vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=100/1-9/1) to give thetitle compound as a pale yellow oil.

(3) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 1.6 g of tert-butylcis-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 16 ml of tetrahydrofuran solutioncontaining 1 M tetrabutylammonium fluoride at room temperature, followedby stirring the reaction mixture at 60° C. overnight. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature, followed by dilution withchloroform. The resulting solution was successively washed with a pH 6.8phosphate buffer solution and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=8/1 to ethyl acetate) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow solid.

(4) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 150 mg of tert-butylcis-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate, 219mg of 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol and 320 mg oftriphenylphosphine in 2.5 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 0.24 ml ofdiisopropyl azodicarboxylate under cooling with ice, followed bystirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 15 minutes. Thereaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, and the resulting residuewas purified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethylacetate=50/1-4/1) to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(5) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

A mixture of 140 mg of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate,102 mg of 1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine p-toluenesulfonate as obtainedin Reference 4, 25.4 mg of9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene, 21.6 mg oftris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform complex, 139 mg ofpotassium phosphate and 4 ml of 1,4-dioxane was stirred at 100° C.overnight, followed by cooling down to room temperature. An insolublematter was filtered off using Celite and washed with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated invacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1-3/2) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow oil.

(6) Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

A solution of 88.8 mg of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 1 ml of formic acid was stirring at 110° C. for 1 hour. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature, followed by concentration invacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a reversed phasepreparative liquid chromatography, followed by concentrating theobtained fraction in vacuo to give the title compound as a pale yellowsolid.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.82-2.17 (8H, m), 3.24 (2H, s), 4.70 (1H, s), 6.18(1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 7.05 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 7.19-7.31 (3H, m), 7.45 (1H,dt, J=8.4, 2.8 Hz), 7.78 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 8.06 (1H, dd, J=8.8, 7.2Hz).

mass: 479 (M+1)⁺

Example 10 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 9 using 3-chloro-2-fluorophenol, instead of2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol as used in the step of Example 9(4).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.79-2.15 (8H, m), 3.20 (2H, s), 4.62 (1H, s), 6.18(1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 7.01-7.15 (4H, m), 7.20 (1H, d, J=8.8 Hz), 7.79 (1H,d, J=2.4 Hz), 8.04 (1H, dd, J=8.8, 7.2 Hz).

mass: 445,447 (M+1)⁺

Example 11 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

To a solution of 32.1 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 10 in 1 ml ofdimethylsulfoxide were successively added 7.5 mg of ammonium chloride,0.038 ml of triethylamine, 20.2 mg of hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and24.6 mg of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochlorideat room temperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature overnight. The reaction mixture was purified by a reversedphase preparative liquid chromatography, followed by a preparativethin-layer chromatography (NH-PLC05 (FUJI SILYSIA CHEMICAL),chloroform/methanol=20/1) to give the title compound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.82-2.00 (8H, m), 3.04 (2H, s), 4.55 (1H, s), 5.75(1H, brs), 6.60-6.80 (2H, m), 7.00-7.10 (3H, m), 7.44 (1H, brs), 7.50(1H, t, J=8.0 Hz).

mass: 444,446 (M+1)⁺

Example 12 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-N-methyl-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 11 using methylamine hydrochloride, instead of ammoniumchloride as used in Example 11.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.73-2.03 (8H, m), 2.62 (3H, s), 2.98 (2H, s), 4.54(1H, s), 6.08 (1H, brs), 6.62 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.70-6.80 (1H, m),7.01-7.11 (3H, m), 7.46 (1H, brs), 7.49 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz).

mass: 458,460 (M+1)⁺

Example 13 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-N,N-dimethyl-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 11 using dimethylamine hydrochloride, instead of ammoniumchloride as used in Example 11.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.75-1.87 (2H, m), 1.90-2.03 (4H, m), 2.18-2.30 (2H,m), 3.02 (3H, brs), 3.10 (3H, brs), 4.56 (1H, s), 5.83 (1H, brs),6.55-6.80 (2H, m), 7.00-7.10 (3H, m), 7.35-7.65 (2H, m).

mass: 472,474 (M+1)⁺

Example 14 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-chloropyrazin-2-amine

A mixture of 60.6 g of 2,6-dichloropyrazine, 62.2 g of1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine as obtained in Reference 3, 23.5 g of9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene, 21.0 g oftris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform complex, 172.6 g ofpotassium phosphate and 1.17 l of 1,4-dioxane was stirred at 100° C.overnight, followed by cooling down to room temperature. An insolublematter was filtered off using Celite and washed with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with water and brine, driedover anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a silica gelcolumn chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1-2/1) to give thetitle compound as a yellow solid.

(2) Synthesis of N-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-vinylpyrazin-2-amine

A mixture of 65.04 g ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-chloropyrazin-2-amine, 41.6 g ofpotassium vinyltrifluoroborate, 4.22 g of(1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene)dichloropalladium(II)dichloromethane complex, 72 ml of triethylamine and 685 ml of 1-propanolwas stirred at 110° C. overnight, followed by cooling down to roomtemperature and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was dilutedwith ethyl acetate, and an insoluble matter was filtered off usingCelite. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with water,dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was suspended in 100 ml ofethyl acetate, and 400 ml of diisopropylether was added to the mixture.The obtained precipitate was collected to give the title compound as apale brown solid.

(3) Synthesis of6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-carbaldehyde

To a solution of 56.36 g ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-vinylpyrazin-2-amine in 570 ml ofacetonitrile were successively added 48.9 g of N-methylmorpholineN-oxide and 215 ml of 0.1M aqueous osmium tetraoxide solution at roomtemperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature overnight. After adding 73 g of sodium sulfite and 580 ml ofwater to the reaction mixture, the mixture was extracted with ethylacetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine,dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo to give the crude product.

To a solution of the obtained residue in 572 ml of acetonitrile and 858ml of water was added 62.8 g of sodium periodate under cooling with ice,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 3hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water, and extracted withethyl acetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was washed withbrine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtratewas concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: chloroform tochloroform/methanol=20/1) to give the title compound as a dark brownoil.

(4) Synthesis of(6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methanol

To a solution of 14.99 g of6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-carbaldehyde in 235 mlof ethanol was added 2.31 g of sodium borohydride under cooling withice, followed by stirring the reaction mixture for 1 hour. After slowlyadding 61 ml of 1M hydrochloric acid to the reaction mixture undercooling with ice, ethanol was concentrated in vacuo. The obtainedresidue was diluted with water, and extracted with chloroform. Theresulting chloroform solution was washed with brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedin vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: chloroform to chloroform/methanol=20/1) to givethe title compound as a brown solid.

(5) Synthesis ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-(chloromethyl)pyrazin-2-amine

To a solution of 507.3 mg of(6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methanol in 6.8 mlof chloroform were successively added 1.08 ml of diisopropylethylamineand 0.24 ml of methylsulfonyl chloride under cooling with ice, followedby stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 1.5 hours. Tothe reaction mixture were successively added 442.9 mg of lithiumchloride and 6.8 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature for 2 hours. After diluting thereaction mixture with ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate solution wassuccessively washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theresulting residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1-1/4) to give the title compound as ayellow solid.

(6) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 0.15 ml of diisopropylamine in 4.2 ml oftetrahydrofuran was added 0.7 ml of a hexane solution containing 1.58Mn-butyl lithium under cooling with ice, followed by stirring thereaction mixture for 30 minutes. After cooling down to −78° C., asolution of 488 mg of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate as obtained inReference 1 in 2 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added to the solution. Theresultant solution was stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. To the reactionmixture were added a solution of 115 mg ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-(chloromethyl)pyrazin-2-amine and 0.5ml of hexamethylphosphoramide in 1.5 ml of tetrahydrofuran, followed bygradually warming up the reaction mixture to room temperature. Thereaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. To thereaction mixture was added saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution,followed by extraction with chloroform. The resulting chloroformsolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered. Thefiltrate was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purifiedby a silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethylacetate=1/4) to give the title compound as a yellow oil.

(7) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 60.5 mg of tert-butylcis-4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 1 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 0.36 ml of tetrahydrofuran solutioncontaining 1 M tetrabutylammonium fluoride at room temperature, followedby stirring the reaction mixture at 60° C. overnight. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature, followed by dilution withchloroform. The resulting solution was successively washed with a pH 6.8phosphate buffer solution and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: chloroform/methanol=50/1-4/1) to give the title compound as ayellow oil.

(8) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 28.9 mg of tert-butylcis-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate,30 mg of 3-chloro-2-fluorophenol and 52.2 mg of triphenylphosphine in0.5 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 0.04 ml of diisopropylazodicarboxylate under cooling with ice, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo, and the resulting residue was purified by apreparative thin-layer chromatography (NH-PLC05 (FUJI SILYSIA CHEMICAL),hexane/ethyl acetate=1/1) to give the title compound as a yellow oil.

(9) Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

A solution of 16.2 mg of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 0.5 ml of formic acid was stirred at 100° C. for 1.5 hours. Thereaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, followed byconcentration in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a reversedphase preparative liquid chromatography, followed by concentrating theobtained fraction in vacuo to give the title compound as a pale yellowsolid.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.75-2.04 (8H, m), 3.05 (2H, s), 4.53-4.59 (1H, m),6.39 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 6.98-7.09 (3H, m), 7.62 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 7.84(1H, s), 8.17 (1H, s).

mass: 446,448 (M+1)⁺

Example 15 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in Example 11 usingtrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 14, instead oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as used in Example 11.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.62-1.93 (8H, m), 2.82 (2H, s), 4.54 (1H, brs),6.50 (1H, brs), 6.93 (1H, brs), 7.06-7.22 (3H, m), 7.26 (1H, brs), 7.55(1H, brs), 7.67 (1H, s), 8.28 (1H, brs), 9.60 (1H, brs).

mass: 445,447 (M+1)⁺

Example 16 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbonitrile

(1) Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-((1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbonitrile

A mixture of 71.2 mg oftrans-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbonitrilesynthesized in the same manner as in the steps of Example 9(2) to 9(4)using 4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarbonitrile asobtained in Reference 2, instead of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate as used in thestep of Example 9(2); 53.7 mg of1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-amine, 29.2 mg of9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)xanthene; 26.1 mg oftris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)-chloroform complex; 89.2 mg ofpotassium phosphate; and 3 ml of 1,4-dioxane, was stirred at 100° C.overnight, followed by cooling down to room temperature. An insolublematter was filtered off using Celite and washed with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated invacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=20/1-3/2) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbonitrile

A solution of 29.6 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-((1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbonitrilein 1 ml of trifluoroacetic acid and 0.1 ml of water was stirred at roomtemperature for 2 hours. After adding 2 M sodium hydroxide to thereaction mixture, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a preparative thin-layer chromatography(Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄, Art5744 (Merck), chloroform/methanol=10/1) to givethe title compound as a pale yellow solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.81-2.01 (6H, m), 2.02-2.15 (2H, m), 2.99 (2H, s),4.58 (1H, s), 6.11 (1H, s), 6.78 (1H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 6.85-6.93 (2H, m),6.94-7.03 (2H, m), 7.30 (1H, brs), 7.47 (1H, s), 7.51 (1H, t, J=7.8 Hz).

mass: 426,428 (M+1)⁺

Example 17 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-aminetrifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-(1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine

A mixture of 34.2 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-((1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbonitrileas obtained in the step of Example 16(1), 40.0 mg of sodium azide, 84.7mg of triethylamine hydrochloride and 2 ml of toluene was stirred at100° C. overnight, followed by cooling down to room temperature. Afteradding 1 M hydrochloric acid to the reaction mixture, the mixture wasextracted with ethyl acetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution waswashed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered.The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue waspurified by a preparative thin-layer chromatography (Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄,Art5744 (Merck), chloroform/methanol=10/1) to give the title compound asa pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-aminetrifluoro acetate

A solution of 7.8 mg of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-(1-((2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-aminein 2 ml of trifluoroacetic acid and 0.2 ml of water was stirred at roomtemperature overnight, followed by concentrated in vacuo. The resultingresidue was purified by a reversed phase preparative liquidchromatography, followed by concentrating the obtained fraction in vacuoto give the title compound as a pale yellow solid.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.49-1.62 (2H, m), 1.99-2.10 (2H, m), 2.23-2.40 (4H,m), 3.27-3.33 (2H, m), 4.50-4.55 (1H, m), 6.10 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz), 6.70(1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.99-7.14 (4H, m), 7.73 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz), 7.92 (1H,dd, J=8.8, 7.2 Hz).

mass: 469,471 (M+1)⁺

Example 18 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-N-methoxy-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in Example 8 using O-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride,instead of ammonium chloride as used in Example 8.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.80-2.15 (8H, m), 3.07 (2H, s), 3.64 (3H, s), 4.46(1H, brs), 6.60 (1H, s), 6.70-7.03 (5H, m), 7.31 (1H, s), 7.47 (1H, t,J=7.6 Hz), 9.39 (1H, brs).

mass: 491,493 (M+1)⁺

Example 19 Synthesis ofN-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)acetamide

(1) Synthesis of6-((trans-1-amino-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1,3-thiazol-2-ylpyridin-2-amine

To a suspension of 99.7 mg oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride as obtained in Example 1 in 5 ml of 1,4-dioxane weresuccessively added 0.084 ml of triethylamine and 0.052 ml ofdiphenylphosphorylazide at room temperature, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature for 1 hour. 0.056 ml oftriethylamine and 0.034 ml of diphenylphosphorylazide were added to thereaction mixture at room temperature, followed by stirring the reactionmixture at room temperature for 1 hour, at 50° C. for 1 hour and at 100°C. overnight. After cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature, 2ml of 2 M hydrochloric acid was added to the reaction mixture, followedby stirring the reaction mixture at 70° C. for 3 hours. After coolingthe reaction mixture to room temperature, the reaction mixture wasneutralized with 1 M sodium hydroxide followed by extracted with ethylacetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo.The resulting residue was purified by a reversed phase preparativeliquid chromatography. The obtained fraction was concentrated in vacuo,basified with saturated sodium bicarbonate, and extracted with ethylacetate. The resulting ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuoto give the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis ofN-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)acetamide

To a solution of 26 mg of6-((trans-1-amino-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1,3-thiazol-2-ylpyridin-2-aminein 2 ml of pyridine was added 0.0068 ml of acetic anhydride at roomtemperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature for 1 hour. After concentrating the reaction mixture invacuo, the resulting residue was diluted with ethyl acetate. Theresulting ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedin vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a preparative thin-layerchromatography (Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄, Art5744 (Merck),chloroform/methanol=10/1) to give the title compound as a pale yellowsolid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.84 (3H, s), 1.80-1.98 (2H, m), 2.31-2.49 (2H, m),3.26 (2H, s), 4.45 (1H, brs), 5.92 (1H, s), 6.75-7.01 (6H, m), 7.48 (1H,d, J=2.8 Hz), 7.56 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz).

mass: 475,477 (M+1)⁺

Example 20 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

(1) Synthesis oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

To a solution of 2.51 g of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylateas obtained in the step of Example 9(5) in 39 ml of chloroform was added19 ml of trifluoroacetic acid at 0° C., followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature overnight. The resulting solutionwas concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis of tert-butyl2-((trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)carbonyl)hydrazinecarboxylate

To a solution of 3.2 g oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate in 14.1 ml of chloroform were successively added5.62 g of tert-butyl carbazate, 3.27 g of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrateand 4.13 g of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimidehydrochloride at room temperature, followed by stirring at roomtemperature for 8 hours. After adding ethyl acetate to the reactionmixture, the organic layer was successively washed with water and brine,dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated invacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=1/4) to give thetitle compound as a pale yellow solid.

(3) Synthesis oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazide

To a solution of 2.93 g of tert-butyl2-((trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)carbonyl)hydrazinecarboxylatein 30 ml of chloroform was added 15 ml of trifluoroacetic acid at roomtemperature, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1 hour. Afterconcentrating the reaction mixture in vacuo, the resulting residue wasdissolved in chloroform. The chloroform solution was successively washedwith saturated sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The resultingresidue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent:chloroform to chloroform/methanol=10/1) to give the title compound as apale yellow solid.

(4) Synthesis of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

To a solution of 1.9 g oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazidein 35 ml of tetrahydrofuran were added 3.05 ml ofN,N-diisopropylethylamine and 1.70 g of 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for1.5 hours, followed by concentrating the resulting solution in vacuo.The resulting residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: chloroform to chloroform/methanol=10/1) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow solid.

(5) Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

A solution of 2.11 g of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onein 37 ml of formic acid was stirring at 95° C. for 1.5 hours. Afterconcentrating the reaction mixture in vacuo, the resulting residue wasbasified with saturated sodium bicarbonate and extracted withchloroform. The chloroform solution was successively washed with waterand brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: chloroform tochloroform/methanol=4/1) to give the title compound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.63-1.80 (2H, m), 1.89-2.07 (6H, m), 3.02 (2H, s),4.47-4.53 (1H, m), 6.23 (1H, brs), 6.50 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.61 (1H, d,J=7.2 Hz), 7.06 (1H, brs), 7.10-7.22 (3H, m), 7.35-7.42 (2H, m).

mass: 519 (M+1)⁺

Example 21 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(5-imino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-aminetrifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbohydrazide

To a solution of 33.8 mg oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 9 in 1.5 ml ofdimethylsulfoxide were successively added 59.9 mg of hydrazinedihydrochloride, 0.2 ml of N,N-diisopropylethylamine, 26.2 mg of1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and 32.9 mg of1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride at roomtemperature, followed by stirring at room temperature overnight. Afteradding ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture, the organic layer wassuccessively washed with 2 M sodium hydroxide and brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a preparative thin-layer chromatography(Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄, Art5744 (Merck), chloroform/methanol=10/1) to givethe title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(5-imino-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-aminetrifluoroacetate

To a solution of 12.1 mg oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbohydrazidein 1 ml of methanol was added 3.9 mg of cyanogen bromide at roomtemperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at 80° C. for 5hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The resultingresidue was purified by a reversed phase preparative liquidchromatography, followed by concentrating the obtained fraction in vacuoto give the title compound as a pale yellow solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.95-2.28 (8H, m), 3.20 (2H, s), 4.49-4.60 (1H, m),6.09-6.16 (1H, m), 6.81 (1H, d, J=6.7 Hz), 7.12-7.24 (4H, m), 7.38-7.51(1H, m), 7.73-7.87 (1H, m).

mass: 518 (M+1)⁺

Example 22 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

A mixture of 15.1 mg oftrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas obtained in the step of Example 21(1) and 1.5 ml oftriethylorthoformate was stirred at 150° C. for 5 hours, followed byconcentrating the reaction mixture in vacuo. The obtained residue waspurified by a preparative thin-layer chromatography (Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄,Art5744 (Merck), chloroform/methanol=20/1) to give the title compound asa pale yellow solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.90-2.30 (8H, m), 3.14 (2H, s), 4.45-4.54 (1H, m),5.94 (1H, brs), 6.50 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.77-6.90 (1H, m), 7.09-7.23(4H, m), 7.38-7.48 (2H, m), 8.33 (1H, s).

mass: 503 (M+1)⁺

Example 23 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

(1) Synthesis oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazide

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow oil in the same manneras in the steps of Example 9(4),(5), and Example 20(1) to 20 (3) using3-chloro-2-fluorophenol instead of 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol asused in Example 9(4).

(2) Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin the steps of Example 20(4) and 20(5) usingtrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideinstead oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas used in Example 20(4).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.65-2.00 (8H, m), 2.97 (2H, s), 4.63 (1H, brs),6.30-6.45 (2H, m), 6.95-7.30 (4H, m), 7.46 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.48-7.56(1H, m), 9.15 (1H, s), 12.02 (1H, s), 12.07 (1H, brs).

mass: 485,487 (M+1)⁺

Example 24 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione

(1) Synthesis of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione

To a solution of 97 mg oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas obtained in the step of Example 23(1) in 3 ml of ethanol were added0.078 ml of carbon disulfide and 0.432 ml of an ethanol solutioncontaining 0.87 M potassium hydroxide at room temperature. The reactionmixture was stirred at 80° C. for 3 hours, acidified with 2 Mhydrochloric acid, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetatesolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=2/3)to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in the step of Example 20(5) using5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thioneinstead of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-oneas used in Example 20(5).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.61-1.74 (2H, m), 1.85-2.01 (6H, m), 2.96 (2H, s),4.56 (1H, brs), 6.24 (1H, s), 6.33 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.90-7.00 (1H, m),7.09-7.24 (3H, m), 7.37 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.48 (1H, s), 9.01 (1H, brs).

mass: 501,503 (M+1)⁺

Example 25 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

(1) Synthesis ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)pyridin-2-amine

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow oil in the same manneras in Example 22 usingtrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas obtained in the step of Example 23(1) and triethylorthoacetate,instead of bothtrans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideand triethylorthoformate as used in Example 22.

(2) Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in the step of Example 20(5) usingN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-((trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)pyridin-2-amineinstead of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-oneas used in Example 20(5).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.58-1.76 (2H, m), 1.97-2.27 (6H, m), 2.40 (3H, s),3.08 (2H, s), 4.45 (1H, brs), 5.90 (1H, s), 6.48 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 6.69(1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 6.85-7.15 (4H, m), 7.37 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.42 (1H,s).

mass: 483,485 (M+1)⁺

Example 26 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-3-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in Example 23 using tert-butyl 1-methylhydrazinecarboxylateinstead of tert-butyl carbazate as used in Example 23.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.58-1.75 (2H, m), 1.96-2.05 (6H, m), 2.99 (2H, s),3.20 (3H, s), 4.46 (1H, brs), 6.09 (1H, s), 6.55 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 6.77(1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.80-7.20 (4H, m), 7.42 (1H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.46 (1H,s).

mass: 499,501 (M+1)⁺

Example 27 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

(1) Synthesis oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-N′-formylcyclohexanecarbohydrazide

To a solution of 97 mg oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in the step of Example 20(1) in 5 mlof chloroform were added 45 mg of formic hydrazide and 86 mg of1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride at roomtemperature, followed by stirring at room temperature overnight. Afteradding ethyl acetate to the reaction mixture, the organic layer waswashed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1 to 1/4) togive the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis ofN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)pyridin-2-amine

To a solution of 54.3 mg oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-N′-formylcyclohexanecarbohydrazidein 4 ml of toluene was added 38.1 mg of Lawesson's reagent(2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dithia-2,4-diphosphetane-2,4-disulfide) atroom temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110° C. for 1hour, followed by concentrating the reaction mixture in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a preparative thin-layer chromatography(Kieselgel™60F₂₅₄, Art5744 (Merck), chloroform/methanol=10/1) to givethe title compound as a pale yellow oil.

(3) Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in the step of Example 20(5) usingN-(1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)pyridin-2-amineinstead of5-(trans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-oneas used in Example 20(5).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.66-1.77 (2H, m), 2.00-2.10 (2H, m), 2.25-2.42 (4H,m), 3.14 (2H, s), 4.47 (1H, brs), 5.91 (1H, s), 6.38 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz),6.70 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.00 (1 H, brs), 7.09-7.20 (3H, m), 7.35 (1H, t,J=7.6 Hz), 7.42 (1H, s), 8.99 (1H, s).

mass: 519 (M+1)⁺

Example 28 Synthesis of6-((trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)cyclohexyl)methyl)-N-1H-pyrazol-3-ylpyridin-2-amine

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in Example 27 using acetic hydrazide instead of formichydrazide as used in the step of Example 27(1).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.65-1.77 (2H, m), 1.99-2.08 (2H, m), 2.18-2.32 (4H,m), 2.61 (3H, s), 3.09 (2H, s), 4.47 (1H, brs), 5.83 (1H, s), 6.46 (1H,d, J=7.2 Hz), 6.64 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.09-7.20 (4H, m), 7.35 (1H, t,J=7.6 Hz), 7.40 (1H, s).

mass: 533 (M+1)⁺

Example 29 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 20 using tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylateas obtained in the step of Example 14(8).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.60-1.95 (8H, m), 2.92 (2H, s), 4.57 (1H, brs),6.38 (1H, s), 7.10-7.25 (3H, m), 7.52 (1H, s), 7.62 (1H, s), 8.27 (1H,s), 9.66 (1H, s), 11.98 (1H, s), 12.16 (1H, s).

mass: 486,488 (M+1)⁺

Example 30 Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-(((6-((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 107.4 mg of tert-butylcis-4-hydroxy-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylateas obtained in the step of Example 1(6) in 0.83 ml of tetrahydrofuranwere added 0.070 ml of triethylamine and 0.029 ml of methanesulfonylchloride at 0° C., followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature for 30 minutes. The precipitate was filtered off and washedwith tetrahydrofuran, and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Theobtained residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography(eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1) to give tert-butylcis-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((methylsulfonyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate.

To a solution of 110 mg of tert-butylcis-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((methylsulfonyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylatein 0.72 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone were added 62.8 mg of potassiumcarbonate and 78.0 mg of 2,3-dichlorobenzenethiol at room temperature,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at 80° C. overnight. Thereaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and to the reactionmixture was added water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethylacetate layer was washed with brine, dried over anhydrous magnesiumsulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue waspurified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent: hexane tohexane/ethyl acetate=1/4) to give the title compound as a yellow oil.

(2) Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

To a 39.0 mg of tert-butyltrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylatewas added 1 ml of 4 M hydrogen chloride in 1,4-dioxane, followed bystirring the reaction mixture at 95° C. for 2.5 hours. After cooling thereaction mixture to room temperature, the reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a reversedphase preparative liquid chromatography, followed by concentrating theobtained fraction in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.71-1.96 (8H, m), 3.00 (2H, s), 3.64 (1H, brs),6.74 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=4.0H z),7.31 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.40 (1H, d, J=4.0 Hz), 7.41-7.47 (2H, m), 7.60(1H, dd, J=8.0, 7.6 Hz), 11.40 (1H, brs).

mass: 494,496 (M+1)⁺

Example 31 Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfinyl)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

To a suspension of 8.0 mg oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 30 in 0.24 ml ofacetonitrile and 0.12 ml of water was added 8.6 mg of OXONE™ (potassiumperoxymonosulfate, purchased from Aldrich) at room temperature, followedby stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 2 hours. Thereaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue waspurified by a reversed phase preparative liquid chromatography, followedby concentrating the obtained fraction in vacuo to give the titlecompound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.26-1.41 (1H, m), 1.73-1.82 (1H, m), 1.85-2.21 (6H,m), 3.05-3.15 (1H, m), 3.29 (2H, s), 7.07 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.11 (1H,d, J=7.6 Hz), 7.28 (1H, d, J=4.0 Hz), 7.59 (1H, d, J=4.0 Hz), 7.59 (1H,t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.71-7.78 (2H, m), 7.83 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz).

mass: 510,512(M+1)+

Example 32 Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

To a suspension of 6.60 mg oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 30 in 0.24 ml ofacetonitrile and 0.12 ml of water was added 14.7 mg of OXONE™ (potassiumperoxymonosulfate) at room temperature, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by a reversedphase preparative liquid chromatography, followed by concentrating theobtained fraction in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ: 1.59-1.76 (4H, m), 1.85-1.92 (2H, m), 1.98-2.11 (2H,m), 3.02 (2H, s), 3.61-3.70 (1H, m), 6.65 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 6.86 (1H,d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.01 (1H, d, J=3.6 Hz), 7.38 (1H, d, J=3.6 Hz), 7.56 (1H,t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.65 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 8.03 (2H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 11.15 (1H,brs).

mass: 526,528 (M+1)⁺

Example 33 Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

(1) Synthesis of tert-butylcis-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate

The title compound was obtained as a yellow solid in the same manner asin the step of Example 9 (5) using tert-butylcis-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate asobtained in the step of Example 9 (3) instead of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-bromopyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylateas used in Example 9 (5).

(2) Synthesis of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)cyclohexanecarboxylate

The title compound was obtained as an off-white solid in the same manneras in the step of Example 30(1) using tert-butylcis-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylateinstead of tert-butylcis-4-hydroxy-1-((6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylateas used in the step of Example 30(1).

(3) Synthesis oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin the step of Example 9(6) using tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)cyclohexanecarboxylateinstead of tert-butyltrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylateas used in the step of Example 9(6).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.77-2.12 (8H, m), 3.22 (2H, s), 3.60-3.70 (1H, m),6.13 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.14 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz),7.24 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.37 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 1.2 Hz), 7.40 (1H, dd,J=7.6, 1.2 Hz), 7.75 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 8.01 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 7.6 Hz).

mass: 477,479 (M+1)⁺

Example 34 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin the steps of Example 20(2) to 20 (4) usingtrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 33, instead oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as used in Example 20(2).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.82-1.92 (2H, m), 1.96-2.17 (6H, m), 3.29 (2H, s),3.66-3.72 (1H, m), 6.14 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 7.17(1H, d, J=8.8 Hz), 7.25 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.38 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz),7.41 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz), 7.75 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 8.02 (1H, dd,J=8.8, 7.6 Hz).

mass: 517,519 (M+1)⁺

Example 35 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfinyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 31 using5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 34, instead oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as used in Example 31.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.45-1.56 (1H, m), 1.86-1.99 (1H, m), 2.00-2.23 (6H,m), 3.12-3.23 (1H, m), 3.36 (1H, d, J=14.4 Hz), 3.42 (1H, d, J=14.4 Hz),6.15 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.8 Hz),7.62 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 7.2 Hz), 7.76-7.80 (3H, m), 8.03 (1H, dd, J=8.8,7.2 Hz).

mass: 533,535 (M+1)⁺

Example 36 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a yellow solid in the same manner asin Example 32 using5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 34, instead oftrans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)thio)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as used in Example 32.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.90-2.25 (8H, m), 3.34 (2H, s), 3.73-3.83 (1H, m),6.15 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.8 Hz),7.58 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.77 (1H, d, J=2.8 Hz), 7.93 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 1.6Hz), 8.02 (1H, dd, J=8.8, 7.2 Hz), 8.09 (1H, dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz).

mass: 549,551 (M+1)⁺

Example 37 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-cyano-3-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 9 using 2-cyano-3-fluorophenol, instead of2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol as used in Example 9(4).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.84-2.16 (8H, m), 3.22 (2H, s), 4.86 (1H, brs), 6.18(1H, d, J=2.6 Hz), 6.90 (1H, t, J=8.8 Hz), 7.03 (2H, d, J=8.8 Hz), 7.21(1H, d, J=8.8 Hz), 7.60-7.66 (1H, m), 7.77 (1H, d, J=2.6 Hz), 8.05 (1H,dd, J=8.8, 7.2 Hz).

mass: 436 (M+1)⁺

Example 38 Synthesis oftrans-4-(2-cyano-3-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide

The title compound was obtained as a pale yellow solid in the samemanner as in Example 11 usingtrans-4-(2-cyano-3-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as obtained in Example 37, instead oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate as used in Example 11.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.85-2.08 (8H, m), 3.04 (2H, brs), 4.80 (1H, brs),5.74 (1H, brs), 6.55-6.75 (2H, m), 6.90 (1H, t, J=8.8 Hz), 7.05 (1H, d,J=8.8 Hz), 7.36-7.55 (2H, m), 7.58-7.67 (1H, m).

mass: 435 (M+1)⁺

Example 39 Synthesis oftrans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-((5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid trifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 9 using 3-chloro-2-fluorophenol and1-tert-butyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, instead of both2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol and 1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-aminep-toluenesulfonate as used in Example 9(4) and (5).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.78-2.10 (8H, m), 3.16 (2H, s), 4.59 (1H, brs), 5.90(1H, s), 6.95-7.20 (5H, m), 7.99 (1H, t, J=8.0 Hz).

mass: 459,461 (M+1)⁺

Example 40 Synthesis oftrans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid hydrochloride

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 1 using(4-bromo-6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methanol(WO2006/046734, Page 98), instead of(6-(((2Z)-3-(methoxymethyl)-1,3-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methanolas used in Example 1(4).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.74-1.95 (4H, m), 2.03-2.18 (4H, m), 3.09 (2H, brs),4.58 (1H, s), 6.77-6.82 (1H, m), 6.90-6.96 (1H, m), 6.98-7.05 (3H, m),7.17 (1H, s), 7.33 (1H, s).

mass: 540,542(M+1)⁺

Example 41 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-onetrifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 14 using 2,4-dichloro-6-methylpyrimidine, instead of2,6-dichloropyrazine as used in Example 14(1).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.73-1.86 (2H, m), 1.93-2.16 (6H, m), 2.48 (3H, s),3.15 (2H, brs), 4.62 (1H, brs), 6.99-7.11 (3H, m), 7.63 (1H, brs).

mass: 500,502(M+1)⁺

Example 42 Synthesis of5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thionetrifluoroacetate

The title compound was obtained as a white solid in the same manner asin Example 24 usingtrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas obtained in Example 20(3), instead oftrans-1-((6-((1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)amino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarbohydrazideas used in Example 24(1).

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ: 1.73-1.85 (2H, m), 2.01-2.25 (6H, m), 3.35 (2H, s),4.66 (1H, brs), 6.15 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz),7.18-7.28 (3H, m), 7.38-7.45 (1H, m), 7.76 (1H, d, J=2.4 Hz), 8.03 (1H,t, J=7.6 Hz).

mass: 535 (M+1)⁺

Reference 1 Synthesis of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

(1) Synthesis of ethyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 25 g of 4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid in 125 mlof N,N-dimethylformamide were sequentially added 21.7 g of imidazole and39.6 ml of tert-butyl (diphenyl)silyl chrolide under cooling with ice,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 3hours. To the reaction mixture was added water and extracted withhexane. The resulting hexane solution was washed with brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedin vacuo to give the title compound.

(2) Synthesis of 4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid

To a solution of 64.2 g of ethyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate in 200 ml ofmethanol and 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added 58 ml of 5 M aqueoussodium hydroxide solution, followed by stirring at room temperatureovernight. The reaction mixture was neutralized with 5 M aqueoushydrochloride solution, followed by removal of the methanol andtetrahydrofuran in vacuo, and the resulting residue was extracted withethyl acetate. The obtained ethyl acetate solution was washed withbrine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtratewas concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound.

(3) Synthesis of tert-butyl4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylate

To a solution of 62.8 g of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid in 270 mlof tert-butyl alcohol were successively added 63.3 g of di-tert-butyldicarbonate and 5.31 g of 4-dimethylaminopyridine in room temperature,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 3hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to removetert-butylalcohol, and the resulting residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=19/1)to give the title compound as a pale yellow oil.

Reference 2 Synthesis of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarbonitrile

(1) Synthesis of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxamide

To a solution of 6.64 g of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid as obtainedin the step of Reference 1(2) in 100 ml of chloroform were successivelyadded 4.65 g of ammonium chloride, 30.3 ml of diisopropylethylamine, 8.0g of hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and 10.0 g of1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride at roomtemperature, followed by stirring the reaction mixture at roomtemperature overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with water andbrine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtratewas concentrated in vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a silicagel column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=10/1 to ethylacetate) to give the title compound.

(2) Synthesis of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarbonitrile

To a solution of 6.42 g of4-((tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl)oxy)cyclohexanecarboxamide and 2.39 ml ofdimethylsulfoxide in 90 ml of methylene chloride was added a solution of2.06 ml of oxalyl chloride in 10 ml of methylene chloride at −78° C.,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at −78° C. for 15 minutes. Tothe reaction mixture was added 7.05 ml of triethylamine at −78° C.,followed by stirring the reaction mixture at −78° C. for 30 minutes andthen stirring at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixturewas washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfateand filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The obtainedresidue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography (eluent:hexane to hexane/ethyl acetate=4/1) to give the title compound as a paleyellow oil.

Reference 3 Synthesis of 1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine

To 600 ml of ethanol were successively added 59.94 g oftert-butylhydrazine hydrochloride, 79.3 g of sodium acetate and 50 ml of2-chloroacrylonitrile at room temperature, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at 80° C. for 12 hours. After removing the solvent invacuo, water was added to the residue. The mixture was neutralized withsodium hydrogen carbonate, and extracted with ethyl acetate. Theobtained ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedin vacuo. The obtained residue was purified by a silica gel columnchromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=2/1-1/2) to give the titlecompound as a pale yellow oil.

Reference 4 Synthesis of 1-tert-butyl-1H-pyrazol-5-aminep-toluenesulfonate

To 850 ml of ethanol were successively added 85.64 g oftert-butylhydrazine hydrochloride, 112.54 g of sodium acetate and 72 mlof 2-chloroacrylonitrile at room temperature, followed by stirring thereaction mixture at 80° C. for 12 hours. After removing the solvent invacuo, water was added to the residue. The mixture was neutralized withsodium hydrogen carbonate, and extracted with ethyl acetate. Theobtained ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried overanhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered, and the filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo. To a solution of the obtained residue in 700 mlof ethyl acetate was added a solution of 96.16 g of p-toluenesulfonicacid hydrate in 140 ml of ethanol under stirring, followed by leavingthe resultant mixture as it is overnight. The obtained precipitate wascollected and washed with ethyl acetate to give the title compound as awhite solid.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The compound of the invention is characterized in that it has cellgrowth inhibitory action as well as synergistic action with otherantitumor agents, based on excellent Aurora A selective inhibitoryaction, and thus it is expected as a useful antitumor agent in the fieldof pharmaceuticals.

1. A compound of general formula I:

wherein: R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1), CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′,NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′, NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″,NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′, NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9),SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), NR_(a12)R_(a12)′, lower alkyl which may besubstituted, or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, wherein:R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), and R_(a8) are eachindependently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be substituted;R_(a2), R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), andR_(a12)′ are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which maybe substituted, provided, however, that R_(a2) and R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ andR_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and R_(a12)′ each independently,together with the nitrogen atom which they bind to, may form aheterocyclic group which may be substituted; R_(a3)′, R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′,R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11) are each independently a hydrogenatom or lower alkyl which may be substituted; R₁′ is a hydrogen atom orlower alkyl which may be substituted; R₂ is O, S, SO, SO₂, NH, NR_(b),or CR_(c1)R_(c2) wherein R_(b) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted, and R_(c1) and R_(c2), which may be the same or different,are a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R₃ is a phenyl which may besubstituted; X₁ is CH, CX_(1a), or N wherein X_(1a) is a lower alkylwhich may be substituted; X₂ is CH, CX_(2a), or N wherein: X_(2a) is alower alkyl; or X_(2a) is a substituent selected from <substituent groupA₁>, or lower alkyl which is substituted with one or more of the same ordifferent substituents selected from <substituent group A₁>, wherein<substituent group A₁> is halogen atom; cyano; hydroxy; loweralkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; lower alkoxy which may be substitutedwith one or more hydroxy groups; lower alkylthio; and loweralkylsulfonyl; or X_(2a) is COOR_(x1), CONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHCOR_(x1),NHCONR_(x2)R_(x3), NHSO₂NR_(x2)R_(x3), NR_(x4)R_(x5), orCH₂NR_(x4)R_(x5), wherein: R_(x1) is a hydrogen atom or lower alkylwhich may be substituted; R_(x2) and R_(x3), which may be the same ordifferent, are each a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl which may besubstituted, or cycloalkyl which may be substituted; or alternativelyR_(x2) and R_(x3), together with the nitrogen atom to which they bond,form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic heterocyclic group which contains atleast one atom selected from N, O and S and which may be substituted;and R_(x4) and R_(x5), which may be the same or different, are ahydrogen atom, lower alkyl that may be substituted, or cycloalkyl thatmay be substituted; or X_(2a) is a 5- to 6-membered aliphaticheterocyclic group which contains at least one atom selected from N, Oand S and which may be substituted, wherein two hydrogen atoms that arebonded to the same carbon atom of the aliphatic heterocyclic group maybe substituted with oxo and neighboring two carbon atoms constitutingthe aliphatic heterocyclic ring may form a double-bond; or a lower alkylwhich is substituted with the aliphatic heterocyclic group; or X_(2a) isa 5- to 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which contains at leastone atom selected from N, O and S and which may be substituted; or alower alkyl which is substituted with the aromatic heterocyclic group;X₃ is CH, CX_(3a), or N wherein X_(3a) is a lower alkyl which may besubstituted; provided, however, that among X₁, X₂ and X₃, the number ofnitrogen is 0 or 1; W is the following residue:

wherein: W₁ is CH, N, NH, O, or S; W₂ is CH, CW_(2a), N, NW_(2b), O orS, wherein W_(2a) and W_(2b) are each independently a hydrogen atom,halogen atom, cyano, lower alkyl having one to two carbon atoms,cycloalkyl having three to five carbon atoms, or lower alkyl having oneto two carbon atoms which may be substituted with one or more halogenatoms; W₃ is C or N; and at least one of W₁, W₂, and W₃ is carbon atom;however, two of W₁, W₂, and W₃ are not simultaneously O and S, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 2. The compoundaccording to claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esterthereof, wherein R₁′ is a hydrogen atom, and X₃ is CH.
 3. The compoundaccording to claim 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esterthereof, wherein: R₁ is a hydrogen atom, F, CN, COOR_(a1),CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′, NR_(a3)COR_(a3)′, CONR_(a4)OR_(a4)′,NR_(a5)CONR_(a5)′R_(a5)″, NR_(a6)COOR_(a6)′, SO₂NR_(a7)R_(a7)′,NR_(a8)SO₂R_(a8)′, COR_(a9), SO₂R_(a10), NO₂, OR_(a11), orNR_(a12)R_(a12)′, wherein: R_(a1), R_(a3), R_(a4), R_(a5), R_(a6), andR_(a8) are each independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R_(a2),R_(a2)′, R_(a5)′, R_(a5)″, R_(a7), R_(a7)′, R_(a12), and R_(a12)′ areeach independently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may besubstituted with one or more of the same or different substituentsselected from <substituent group L₁>, wherein <substituent group L₁> isa halogen atom, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl,imino, lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, loweralkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, loweralkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio,and carboxyl; provided, however, that R_(a2) and R_(a2)′; R_(a5)′ andR_(a5)″; R_(a7) and R_(a7)′; R_(a12) and R_(a12)′ each independently,together with the nitrogen atom which they bind to, may form a5-membered or 6-membered aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic group whichmay be substituted with one or more of the same or differentsubstituents selected from <substituent group L₂>, wherein <substituentgroup L₂> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, and hydroxymethyl; R_(a3)′,R_(a4)′, R_(a6)′, R_(a8)′, R_(a9), R_(a10) and R_(a11), are eachindependently a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl which may be substitutedwith one or more of the same or different substituents selected from<substituent group L₁>; or R₁ is a lower alkyl which may be substitutedwith one or more of the same or different substituents selected from<substituent group M>, wherein <substituent group M> is a halogen atom,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, imino, loweralkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, loweralkylsulfonylamino, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, loweralkoxycarbonylamino, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkylthio,and carboxyl; or R₁ is a heterocyclic group selected from the following,wherein Y₁ and Y₂ are the same and different, and each a hydrogen atomor lower alkyl which may be substituted:


4. The compound according to claim 3 or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt or ester thereof, wherein W is selected from:


5. The compound according to claim 4 or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt or ester thereof, wherein R₃ is a phenyl of which 2^(nd) and 3^(rd)positions are substituted with the same or different two substituentsselected from F, Cl, CF₃, and CN.
 6. The compound according to claim 5or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein<substituent group L₁> is a halogen atom, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyl,lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino, and lower alkoxy; and<substituent group M> is a hydroxy, carbamoyl, aminosulfonyl, loweralkylsulfonylamino, and carboxyl.
 7. The compound according to claim 6or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein both X₁and X₂ are CH; or X₁ is CH and X₂ is N; or X₁ is N and X₂ is CH orCX_(2a) wherein X_(2a) is a lower alkyl or a halogen atom.
 8. Thecompound according to claim 7 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orester thereof, wherein R₁ is OH, COOH, or CONR_(a2)R_(a2)′ whereinR_(a2) and R_(a2)′ are the same or different, and each a hydrogen atomor lower alkyl having one to three carbon atoms; or R₁ is selected fromthe following:

and R₂ is O, S, SO, or SO₂.
 9. The compound according to claim 8 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein: W isselected from:

wherein W_(2a) is a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano, or methyl whichmay be substituted with one to three fluorine atoms.
 10. The compoundaccording to claim 9 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or esterthereof, wherein both of X₁ and X₂ are CH; or X₁ is CH and X₂ is N; andW is any one of the following:


11. A compound which is: (a)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (b)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (c)trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (d)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (e)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;(f)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(g)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(h)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(i)5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(j)trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid, (k)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,or (l)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
 12. Apharmaceutical composition comprising, together with pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, at least one compound according to claim1 as active ingredient.
 13. An Aurora A selective inhibitor comprising,together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, at leastone compound according to claim 1 as active ingredient.
 14. An antitumoragent comprising, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent, at least one compound according to claim 1 as activeingredient.
 15. A combined preparation for simultaneous, separate, orsequential administration in the treatment of cancer, comprising twoseparate preparations: a preparation comprising, together with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, a compound according toclaim 1; and a preparation comprising, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, one antitumor agent selected from thegroup consisting of antitumor alkylating agents, antitumorantimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derived antitumor agents,antitumor platinum-complex compounds, antitumor campthotecinderivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonalantibodies, interferons, biological response modifiers, and otherantitumor agents or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:the antitumor alkylating agents are nitrogen mustard N-oxide,cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, melphalan, busulfan, mitobronitol,carboquone, thiotepa, ranimustine, nimustine, temozolomide, andcarmustine; the antitumor antimetabolites are methotrexate,6-mercaptopurine riboside, mercaptopurine, 5-fluorouracil, tegafur,doxifluridine, carmofur, cytarabine, cytarabine ocfosfate, enocitabine,S-1, gemcitabine, fludarabine, and pemetrexed disodium; the antitumorantibiotics are actinomycin D, doxorubicin, daunorubicin,neocarzinostatin, bleomycin, peplomycin, mitomycin C, aclarubicin,pirarubicin, epirubicin, zinostatin stimalamer, idarubicin, sirolimus,and valrubicin; the plant-derived antitumor agents are vincristine,vinblastine, vindesine, etoposide, sobuzoxane, docetaxel, paclitaxel,and vinorelbine; the antitumor platinum-complex compounds are cisplatin,carboplatin, nedaplatin, and oxaliplatin; the antitumor campthotecinderivatives are irinotecan, topotecan, and campthotecin; the antitumortyrosine kinase inhibitors are gefitinib, imatinib, sorafenib,sunitinib, dasatinib, and erlotinib; the monoclonal antibodies arecetuximab, rituximab, bevacizumab, alemtuzumab, and trastuzumab; theinterferons are interferon α, interferon α-2a, interferon α-2b,interferon β, interferon γ-1a, and interferon γ-n1, the biologicalresponse modifiers are krestin, lentinan, sizofuran, picibanil, orubenimex, and the other antitumor agents are mitoxantrone,L-asparaginase, procarbazine, dacarbazine, hydroxycarbamide,pentostatin, tretinoin, alefacept, darbepoetin alfa, anastrozole,exemestane, bicalutamide, leuprorelin, flutamide, fulvestrant,pegaptanib octasodium, denileukin diftitox, aldesleukin, thyrotropinalfa, arsenic trioxide, bortezomib, capecitabine, and goserelin.
 16. Thecombined preparation according to claim 15 wherein one of or both of thetwo separate preparations is/are oral preparation(s).
 17. The combinedpreparation according to claim 15 which is further combined with atleast one preparation comprising, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, an antitumor agent selected from thegroup consisting of antitumor alkylating agents, antitumorantimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derived antitumor agents,antitumor platinum-complex compounds, antitumor campthotecinderivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonalantibodies, interferons, biological response modifiers, and otherantitumor agents, wherein the definition of each antitumor agent is thesame as defined in claim 15, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 18. The combined preparation according to claim 15 wherein:among the combined preparation, one is a preparation which comprises,together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, (a)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (b)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (c)trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (d)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; or (e)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;(f)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(g)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(h)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;or (i)5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;j)trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid, (k)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,or (l)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and the other isa preparation which comprises, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, paclitaxel or docetaxel.
 19. Apharmaceutical composition comprising, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent, a compound according to claim 1, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and an antitumor agentselected from the group consisting of antitumor alkylating agents,antitumor antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, plant-derivedantitumor agents, antitumor platinum-complex compounds, antitumorcampthotecin derivatives, antitumor tyrosine kinase inhibitors,monoclonal antibodies, biological response modifiers, and otherantitumor agents, wherein the definition of each antitumor agent is thesame as defined in claim 15, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19,wherein a compound according to claim 1 is the following: (a)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (b)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (c)trans-4-(2,3-dichlorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; (d)trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid; or (e)trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide;(f)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(g)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(h)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrazin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;(i)5-(trans-4-((2,3-dichlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one;j)trans-1-((4-bromo-6-(1,3-thiazol-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)cyclohexanecarboxylicacid, (k)5-(trans-4-(3-chloro-2-fluorophenoxy)-1-((4-methyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one,or (l)5-(trans-4-(2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-1-((6-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)cyclohexyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and theantitumor agent is paclitaxel or docetaxel.